Bobwhite quail eggs

[Newseramabreeder]

Ok so yesterday I seen that a hen had layed a egg for some reason it was cracked anyways I put it back in there and I woke up this morning and it was gone also there has been no more eggs layed there in a 8x8x8x8 hoop coop with plenty of room should I put a light bulb in there For artificial light?

 

[Nabiki]

If the egg was gone, I would suspect that you have mice, rats, snakes, or an egg eating bobwhite. Is there any way for such pests to get into your enclosure?

 

[Newseramabreeder]

If the egg was gone, I would suspect that you have mice, rats, snakes, or an egg eating bobwhite. Is there any way for such pests to get into your enclosure?

Well I don’t think it’s a snake because today it’s freezing outside and maybe mice could get under the 2x4

 

[Nabiki]

Well I don’t think it’s a snake because today it’s freezing outside and maybe mice could get under the 2x4

I've had a problem with rats eating my quail eggs and feed. Take a look around outside for egg shells. Sometimes they leave a trail. If it's not mice or rats, you might have an egg eater among your birds. If you get one egg eater, the others soon learn to do the same. The best way to deal with that is to figure out about when your birds lay during the day and collect the eggs as quickly as possible.

 

[007Sean]

What is the wire that you used? HC, chicken wire, or welded wire and the size of the wire used, ie; 1/4", 1/2", or 1". Putting a light on them will only shorten their life span, as Bobwhites are seasonal breeders/layers. Induced laying practices are not recommended for seasonal breeders but you could add a light to get them started laying earlier than they would normally.

 

[Newseramabreeder]

What is the wire that you used? HC, chicken wire, or welded wire and the size of the wire used, ie; 1/4", 1/2", or 1". Putting a light on them will only shorten their life span, as Bobwhites are seasonal breeders/layers. Induced laying practices are not recommended for seasonal breeders but you could add a light to get them started laying earlier than they would normally.

Chicken wire 1 inch and cattle panels

 

[007Sean]

Chicken wire 1 inch and cattle panels

That configuration will not keep out predators, rats and mice can go right through the wire mesh, most raccoons can reach thorough the 1" chicken wire and pull the birds through it, or rip it open if they are small enough they can squeeze right through the cattle panel openings. Other predators can tear the chicken wire off and the quail will escape through the panel openings.
I suggest replacing the chicken wire with either 1/2" HC or 1" by 1/2" welded wire. Would also put a 2ft. apron around the pen, to help keep the digging predators out.

 

[Newseramabreeder]

That configuration will not keep out predators, rats and mice can go right through the wire mesh, most raccoons can reach thorough the 1" chicken wire and pull the birds through it, or rip it open if they are small enough they can squeeze right through the cattle panel openings. Other predators can tear the chicken wire off and the quail will escape through the panel openings.
I suggest replacing the chicken wire with either 1/2" HC or 1" by 1/2" welded wire. Would also put a 2ft. apron around the pen, to help keep the digging predators out.

Ok thanks also is it weird for bobwhites to lay a egg and quit?

 

[007Sean]

Ok thanks also is it weird for bobwhites to lay a egg and quit?

If something is causing anxiety, aggression, or predators lurking about they can delay laying a day or two, sometimes for a couple of weeks but not long term. I have had them start laying, then stop, then start laying again.