Laying

[Elakr1]

I have 4 Bobwhites in a 8x16 ft enclosure. One rooster and three hens. They are arounds nine months old.I thought they should be laying by now, but nothing. They are feed a game bird food and are given plenty of fresh water. They also have a 3x6ft coop to go in and out freely. Anyone with ideas why no eggs yet?

 

[TwoCrows]

Bobs are seasonal layers and will lay when the light and temp causes their breeding season to kick in. I don't know where you are in the country, but breeding season should be around the corner. My bobs usually start laying in mid April and stop sometime in late Sept, early Oct.

Good luck!

 

[Elakr1]

Thanks, I got home from work a couple hours ago and had a male bobwhite trying to get into the run. Loved hearing him call to the three hens. They were running around trying to get with him. I am in North Florida.

 

[TwoCrows]

You should be seeing eggs really soon!! My bobs are already getting territorial, but not laying yet. We had snow today!!! UGH!

 

[cva34]

Thanks, I got home from work a couple hours ago and had a male bobwhite trying to get into the run. Loved hearing him call to the three hens. They were running around trying to get with him. I am in North Florida.

Give them light from sundown maybe 3hrs extra that will get them kicked off.It should be mild enough temps there by now...cva34

 

[Elakr1]

Ok, so I have added a light till 9 pm each evening. Still no eggs.
Should I be feeding them something different then the game food?
Would love to get some eggs, but with the price of feed, the Bobs are starting to look like dinner.

 

[Elakr1]

Well after adding a light to the run and giving the quail 17 hrs of light the started laying. in the past three weeks they have laid 40 eggs.
thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[gabrielle1976]