Corturnix ?????

[Foghorn Rock]

I have 12 white corturnix and was having a few problems.First,if the age I was told was correct,they are about 10 or 11 weeks old now and no eggs yet.Is it too early or do I have to put them under a light to get them to lay at all?The other problem was ,I got noticed that one had a couple places on him that looked like he had been fighting.then a couple days later,got home and found that he had been scalped.Bloody and no skin left on his head.I thought he may have hurt it himself but then I caught one of the other quail literally grabbing him or her by the head and dragging him.Well next day he looked real bad so I euthanized him.Is this normal behaivior for them to fight like this or do I have other problems?I was told that there was 10 female and 2 males but I dont know how to tell the difference,and the cage I built should be big enough for at least 30 without overcrowding.

 

[SamG347]

No lighting should be necessary. Whenever you move Cortunix from what I hear they will quit laying...they should start up again in a couple weeks. Also do you hear or witness any crowing? That is a sure sign of males. With the whites it is really hard to tell because both male and female look alike. Also what you saw could have been BREEDING...that is how the male quail grabs the hen to mate her.
Good Luck with them.

 

[Foghorn Rock]

Thanks for the reply.They were supposed to be 6 and 8 week old when I got them.They were a gift from my mother so I was totally unprepaired for quail.Yes I do hear crowing and I didnt know if only males did it.I have seen attempts at breeding several times ,but the time I witnessed with the injured one was alot more aggressive.I used 1 inch chicken wire for the sides of the coop and sometimes they like to stick their heads out the hole alot so he may have got hurt doing this or a cat may have taken a swipe at him.I had read where they need 16 hours of like to lay good but I figured they would still lay some without the light.Its so hot now,the heat may be affecting the laying.

 

[SamG347]

Lighting is really only necessary in the winter...But I do not plan to even light them then. They are laying fine right now an egg a day...if not more.
Good Luck with them!