Best ratio?

[Madcap621]

What is the best ratio of male/ female w/Coturnix? How many can be housed together as a 'covey'??

 

[JJMR794]

1:5 Seems To Be About The Middle Of The Road Here. Anywhere From 1:3 Upwards Of 1:8 Too Few And The Ladies Get Roughed Up A Bit More Than Necessary. Too Many And Fertility May Suffer...

 

[Stellar]

I have 2-3 males per 6-7 females

 

[Madcap621]

Thanks! And How many in a covey? Or should they be kept in breeding pens w/ 1 male to 4-6 females?

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
HOW MANY YOU GOT?

 

[Madcap621]

19 hatched Monday [+/-]

Half from you and half from A. It will be a while before I know sexes of course.

 

[JJMR794]

Sounds Like 19 Is A Good Number For A Covey...

Provided The Ratio Is Ok, And They Have Appropriate Space You Shouldnt Have Any Problems. I Have Seen Some Large Breeders Keep As Many As 500 In A Pens, Granted Its A Huge Pen, But As Long As The Space And Sex Ratios Are Within Appropriate Numbers It Really Doesnt Matter Much To These Guys. They're The Most Tolerant Quail Speces Of All.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

I notice when I have a hatch of Coturnix around 75 or so, they separate into groups of about 20, with some that never seem to settle (Males). These were young, so I figured natural instinct.

So its going to depend on how many you have and how big their pen is or can be. I have my grow out pen that is 2x5.25 and I know it will handle 14 as they were there before going to the breeder pens. The same birds will go back to it to take their rest in a few months. But that pen started out with 20 and I let them pick who would stay together. So be prepared for that, they have their own pecking order, no matter the number. So it really depends on the birds.

I have a 3x8 that another 20 or so may spend the winter in. (My DH can thank Rooster for that idea. I keep looking at his long pens and think of my tractor that I don't use anymore. Going to put legs on it and another door for a growout pen/resting covey or whatever comes along). It's just to big and heavy to move around.

So there is some inormation to start you plotting and planning. Welcome to the club and have fun.

edited, oops, I type way to slow, you both got in there while I was still thinking.

 

[shelleyd2008]

In my experience it seems that the number depends on how many males are in the cage. I have had cages where there was one male with 2 or 3 females get along great and I've had them in groups of 14 with 2 males and 12 females. If you have more than one male in the pen I'd say the minimum would be 4 females per.

 

[Robo]

I go with 1 cock to 3 or 4 hens.