Doing everything right, and still not laying?!

[sparkybeegirl]

Hey Everyone
I having been keeping coturnix quail for three years and did a thorough search for this answer before posting but I am baffled.
I keep a few quail for eggs and have gotten in the cycle of buying new birds in the spring in time for laying season and giving them away or eating them at the end of the season.
This year I got some fine birds, but they are still not laying! I got birds for a friend at the same time, and hers are already--
Everything in their habitat is the same as previous years where it was fine.
The birds are old enough, as a matter of fact at least one of them was laying when I got them (the chinese market surely keeps them on artificial lights) and I now have had them nearly 2 months.
The get high quality high protein feed (22-25%, plus oyster shells, probiotics and lots of yummy bits)
Is it possible there is still not enough light here in california/ ( 6am-8pm daylight hours)? But then why would my friends birds be laying and not mine...?
Is it possible they need some direct morning sun?
I put a light on them a couple days ago to see if that would jump start them --how long does it take after extra light to get them going?
OK.. Confused and frsutrated. Up til now it has all gone clockwork--
Maybe I just need to be patient?

Thanks for your thoughts and Ideas

 

[kahlertm]

We have seen this question a lot. The usual answer is that it takes about a couple of weeks after applying or introducing artificial or extended light hours before you start to see them lay. Make sure to read the first topic on the quail forum list. It is a sticky full of info. Although I don't know if this particular statement is on there.
Anyhoo...2 weeks or so after extended light offered (14 hrs per day).

Tonya

 

[sparkybeegirl]

Thanks and sorry for not having read through the stickie thoroughly--
I looked at the headings and didnt see my issue listed, which is less about introduced light and more of a general question about other reasons they might not be laying
Conditions are the same as in past years and locally other quail are laying so I am baffled why mine are not and wondering if there is anything else I may have overlooked.
thanks

 

[Fat Daddy]

Next thing to check would be a egg eater... Put a "bait" egg in there pen and see if it's still there in the morning...Bill

 

[JJMR794]

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X2!

 

[mhwc56]

Quote:
X2!

yup...X 3

 

[sparkybeegirl]

No egg eater. Pyut an egg in there and they just ignired it. Still not laying.
someone somewhere else mentioned molting as a reason for lack of laying--please advise.
Thanks!
Ruby

 

[Robo]

They could be going into a molt, how long since you got them?

 

[sparkybeegirl]

Please give me more information on molting if you have it.
When and how often do they molt?
Is it a regular seasonal thing or random?
How long does molting take?
Does the f\\lock generally molt all at once together?

I have 3 birds, not sure of age. at least ione way laying when I got them, but they stopped I assumed because the breeder had them on artificial lights and I did not. But now the days have been long enough for quite awhile. I have seen lots of feathers in the pen and just assumed it was due to squabbling.

Thanks in advance--I had never heard about molting as an issue or possibility!'
Ruby

 

[JJMR794]

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