Debate: When do Quail Start Laying Eggs?

[Kiki]

When do quail start laying eggs? According to google they start at 6-8 weeks, but some websites say 4 weeks.

Let's settle this debate, when do quail start laying?

It varies greatly and there are many factors that play into win a quail is going to start laying.
I've had one that started at 4 weeks and I've had one that started at 5 weeks and I have lots that start at 6 weeks and some that start at 7 or 8.

 

[eddie_van_quailen]

I think we just had another graduate yesterday, as we got 4 eggs in 1 day and our previous record was 3. The 2 cohorts are 71 and 67 days old. That means probably only 1 holdout left.

 

[Kimberoo]

Never before 6 weeks for me. I have jumbo coturnix and it's almost right on the dot 6.5-7 weeks.

 

[Nabiki]

My 6 and a half week olds just started laying today.

 

[Wandering_r0gue]

We had a full 15 eggs for the first time yesterday, so, production starting has been spread across 3ish weeks.

 

[lindy]

little late but figured this is a fun thread. my first quail laid at 9 weeks. not getting quite the 14 hours though as i havent figured out lighting yet.

 

[Quispherer]

Im raising my first quail ever and the first girl started laying at 5 weeks on the dot, but the second hasn't started laying now they're at 6.5 weeks. The breeder I bought these four from said hers hadn't started laying at the time my girl did, so I can only assume its my lighting habits and possibly having them in an environment with less competition/ less population density as well as genetics. The girl laying is roux, the girl not laying is Italian.

Really interesting seeing everyone's experience, it really must be a number of different variables.