Broody Quail - egg swap

[stourbelle]

I have two separate runs of Quail. 3 females and 1 male in one and 3 females in the other.

The 3 females on their own are broody and have started laying inside in a nest. As their eggs are not fertile we are swapping them with the other eggs which are fertilized. Everytime I look in the nest they have pushed them out, even the ones I have put in there which I have used gloves to move.

Any ideas what to do or just leave the eggs which are now at the back of the inside bit and hope they collect them altogether when ready to sit?

 

[paneubert]

What kind of quail. They may not be broody.

 

[stourbelle]

They are common quail. They were making a little hollowed out area in the pen on the grass and laying eggs there and the other day they laid inside the house which they have never done, also making a nest with the straw. I have since put more straw in and they have laid again, so I have swapped the eggs for the fertilized ones and as above they have shifted them out. I am tempted to leave their eggs in today and see what happens in the morning. What do you think?

 

[Kessel23]

It does not sound like they are broody. I am pretty sure Coturnix quail do not go broody.

 

[stourbelle]

Their behaviour has definately changed in the last few days they are in and out of the house like yo yo's and they seemed upset I took the eggs when they were laying them in a nest type area outside. Well I shall leave their eggs there tonight and see what happens.... Many thanks for your assistance Panubert & Kessel23