Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[hosspak]

So, I have done everything that I have read for my quail flock; moved them from dirt and shavings ground to a wire floor, added a light bulb for warmth, they get amazing feed and treats to equal a 22% protein diet. I have 8 or 9 girls and 2 or 3 boys for a total of 11. I was getting an average of 7 eggs a day a week and a half ago, and found 22 eggs in a 24 hour period 3 weeks ago. Now I have gotten 1 egg in the last 24 hours.... What's up with that???

 

[Soltaria]

Same with my egg production. My girls have quit laying entirely. I think the weather or shortened day length might be to blame.

 

[dc3085]

Get rid of the heat lamps people you are doing your quail more harm than good. They won't grow down feathers if you give them a heat source, then that day your power goes out they'll all die from hypothermia. Quail only need heat sources in very extreme weather conditions, more extreme than what we experience in most of the US. Coturnix exist in the wild primarily in russia and northern china, they are well adapted for snow and cold weather.

Two likely reasons you quail might not be laying. Molting or daylight.

Most domestic fowl molt between september and december. When they molt they will stop laying for a month or more while they replace their feathers. If you see a lot of feathers on the ground then they are molting.

What light any animals eyes perceive triggers metabolic processes. Having less than 14 hours of light per day will cause your quail to stop laying. The reason for this is because in nature they could never hope to hatch or raise young during winter so the body saves the energy. You can use artificial lighting (just avoid heat producing bulbs being in their space) to re-induce egg laying but remember that your birds will live shorter lives because of this.

 

[K Epp]

I have about 50 chicken hens. I got two eggs today. I have 5 quail hens. I got 5 eggs today.

My light is for the eggs. Its not strong enough wattage to produce much heat from the top of the house. My quail are already use to the cold from being in a unheated garage. Its been getting close to freezing every night for almost a month. We've also had one snow already. In Georgia that's a big deal for this time of the year.

As far as their life span. I thought I was deposed to use these to hatch more in the spring then process the older birds. Is that not the right way to to it?

I'm still feeding 24% game bird starter. They range in age from 7- 3 months. Is that good or do I need to give them something else?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have about 50 chicken hens. I got two eggs today. I have 5 quail hens. I got 5 eggs today.

My light is for the eggs. Its not strong enough wattage to produce much heat from the top of the house. My quail are already use to the cold from being in a unheated garage. Its been getting close to freezing every night for almost a month. We've also had one snow already. In Georgia that's a big deal for this time of the year.

As far as their life span. I thought I was deposed to use these to hatch more in the spring then process the older birds. Is that not the right way to to it?

I'm still feeding 24% game bird starter. They range in age from 7- 3 months. Is that good or do I need to give them something else?

24% is ok if thats what you can get, I am running into the same issue. I used to be able to purchase startina at 30% protein and had some nice sized birds from it too. Hard to find, and have had several sources take my order and then not supply it. Its very frustrating. I do rotate my stock at less than a year at most, and keep light on them 14 hours a day. I keep them for a food supply, not as a pet. That said, I do treat them like a pet so they have a good life while they are here. You make the choices to fit your needs, humanely care for them of course. My quail will jump on my hands and are not afraid to be handled, touched. You are doing very well for them or you wouldn't be on this forum asking the questions. Thank you for caring about them!

You are doing everything I would do.

 

[K Epp]

24% is ok if thats what you can get, I am running into the same issue. I used to be able to purchase startina at 30% protein and had some nice sized birds from it too. Hard to find, and have had several sources take my order and then not supply it. Its very frustrating. I do rotate my stock at less than a year at most, and keep light on them 14 hours a day. I keep them for a food supply, not as a pet. That said, I do treat them like a pet so they have a good life while they are here. You make the choices to fit your needs, humanely care for them of course. My quail will jump on my hands and are not afraid to be handled, touched. You are doing very well for them or you wouldn't be on this forum asking the questions. Thank you for caring about them!

You are doing everything I would do.

Oh Law yes I made the mistake of naming one of them this last round.... At about two or three weeks he jumped up and hit the top of the brooder or injured his self some how. He had a crooked neck and stood funny. I didn't think he was suffering so I let him grow. Because I could tell him from all his hatch mates I would talk to him at feeding and cage cleaning time. At processing time I almost didn't do it. I told my self I could not have a pet quail with a crooked neck. Funny thing is I kept the two hens out of that brood and had them separated from all the boys. I was late in processing them so they had started picking on each other. My pet was the biggest and best looking of the crowd. He didn't have any feathers pulled out either. I may have difficulties processing these now when the time comes. I keep telling my self that they grow for 8 weeks and I don't let my self get attached to them. Now that I'm keeping theses over for the winter I may have a retirement cage for quail some place. This was my first summer with quail and I hatched and processed three rounds. I really enjoy them.

On the food side... I have noticed some of the shells on the eggs to be thinner than others. I mash them when I'm trying to wash them. I thought about mixing some of the 22% layer, but that would lower the protein. Do you add oyster shell or anything else?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I do give them oyster shell, and chick grit. They get mealworms and other treats just like my chickens and other birds do.

 

[Sill]

Oh Law yes I made the mistake of naming one of them this last round.... At about two or three weeks he jumped up and hit the top of the brooder or injured his self some how. He had a crooked neck and stood funny. I didn't think he was suffering so I let him grow. Because I could tell him from all his hatch mates I would talk to him at feeding and cage cleaning time. At processing time I almost didn't do it. I told my self I could not have a pet quail with a crooked neck. Funny thing is I kept the two hens out of that brood and had them separated from all the boys. I was late in processing them so they had started picking on each other. My pet was the biggest and best looking of the crowd. He didn't have any feathers pulled out either. I may have difficulties processing these now when the time comes. I keep telling my self that they grow for 8 weeks and I don't let my self get attached to them. Now that I'm keeping theses over for the winter I may have a retirement cage for quail some place. This was my first summer with quail and I hatched and processed three rounds. I really enjoy them.

On the food side... I have noticed some of the shells on the eggs to be thinner than others. I mash them when I'm trying to wash them. I thought about mixing some of the 22% layer, but that would lower the protein. Do you add oyster shell or anything else?

They should have oyster shell and/or ground egg shell available 24/7. You will be amazed at the shell quality when they are getting enough calcium!

 

[quailz101]

Does anyone know what kind of light I need or any other info on how to raise coturnix quail inside a house. Thanks, pictures would help too.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Most of what you need to know is posted at the beginning of this thread. just click here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore
They are really easy to raise. And YUM

the eggs and the birds are pretty awesome, you will enjoy them.