Broody quail?

[PrestonSloan08]

Do coturnix quail ever go broody? Just wondering? And is the laying season over or something!! They have not laid in a week?

 

[Stellar]

Coturnix quail can go broody but it's rare. The season isn't over for them, yours may be molting.

 

[PrestonSloan08]

What does that mean?

 

[thekid]

Quote:
They will hatch their own eggs

 

[Stellar]

Molting means losing feathers and regrowth. The temperature, environment, nutrition, season, and egg laying play a significant role in determining when a bird will molt as well as how long it will take to complete a molt. The molting cycle typically begins after the breeding season, usually in the late summer, and is triggered by secretions from the thyroid gland or pituitary to make the feathers fall out and new feathers come in. Like I said, 2 weeks is the usual for this to be completed. It's happening on my ranch right now, feathers everywhere! LOL

 

[TheRealTimShady]

i think one of my birds is molting i'll post a photo tomorrow so you can see(they look all "rough" during the molt)