Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[Sill]

I figure keeping a good annual rotation on all adults will help. Purge the older in the winter and hold over only select breeders for the next year. That's what I plan on doing, anyway.

I keep most of my adults through winter. The chickens don't lay so well in winter but at least half the quail seem to lay through winter so they help supply my family's egg needs. Last thing I want to do is buy eggs for Christmas baking from someone else.

 

[hosspak]

From the Crazy H-Bar... Ok besides the obvious answer of MORE protein, why would a quail lay consecutive squishy eggs (no shell)?

 

[WV Farm girl]

Crazy H, my guess wold be Calcium deficiency issues.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Crazy H, my guess wold be Calcium deficiency issues.

Agreed, I do give my quail oyster shell, and chopped up eggshells. Rarely see a soft shelled egg, sometimes a new layer will have one or 2.

 

[Sill]

From the Crazy H-Bar... Ok besides the obvious answer of MORE protein, why would a quail lay consecutive squishy eggs (no shell)?

Yes a new layer will often lay shell-less eggs until her body gets fully into egg laying mode. Make sure you are feeding oyster shell free choice at all times. Check my signature for how to get your oyster shell small enough for quail to eat it. You can also feed them the egg shells from eggs you consume. Just bake them a little to kill pathogens and to dry out the eggs then blend them up and feed them. Never feed whole or large egg shell pieces because you may teach your hen how to eat her own eggs!

 

[orumpoultry]

I seem to get mixed reviews researching this... but how long after they start laying is long enough to start incubating? I've read right away is fine as long as the males are active... Without flipping my hens I'm not entirely sure that the males ARE active. They hide most of that stuff from me. The only time the quail have much to do with me is during pen changes( cleaning time ) and when I fill feeders, they're my best friends.

 

[Sill]

By 12 weeks they will be giving eggs that are nice sized and should have excellent fertility.

 

[orumpoultry]

Okay good to know. I'll hardboil these and hand them out on Christmas as appetizers.

 

[clawstar]

I'm looking into valley quail, anyone got valley quail?

 

[orumpoultry]

I just found a breeder the other day with valleys but she wont have anything at all until March. Not available to public, anyway.