My Coturnix quails aren't laying eggs

[Johnchickens2]

Hello! Such a wonderful place for informatoin about raising birds.
Last month I bought three quails, 1 male and two hens. The male has already started mating with them but they are not laying yet. They have light for 14 hours a day and I give them crushed eggshells every day in addition to their own food. I dont know what the problem is.

 

[007Sean]

How old are your birds?

 

[Johnchickens2]

when I first bought them, they looked like a 1.5- 2 weeks old quail.So I bet they are about 7 weeks old now...

 

[007Sean]

Should start laying between 7 to 12 weeks of age. If you just want eggs, then seperate the male from the females. At that ratio, the male will only stress the hens out and keep them from laying sooner. If you want to breed them for more offspring, then I suggest getting more hens for your roo! A 1:4 or 1:5 ratio would be better.

 

[Johnchickens2]

I know.. and I took the male out but he seems very sad. I dont want him to die from being lonely.
well, what do you say? may I put him in other cage, alone?
I want them to breed so I must keep the roo. How can I let the male breed the females without stressing them out? what should I do?

 

[rita2paul]

I know.. and I took the male out but he seems very sad. I dont want him to die from being lonely.
well, what do you say? may I put him in other cage, alone?
I want them to breed so I must keep the roo. How can I let the male breed the females without stressing them out? what should I do?

add more girls, that way he won't over mate the two that are already there.

 

[Johnchickens2]

thank you. I understand, but I actually dont want any more quails. 3 quails is enough for me and that's the max amount I wanted.
do you have any advice for me? I want them to breed.
Are my quails not laying eggs because of the stress?

 

[Johnchickens2]

thank you. I understand, but I actually dont want any more quails. 3 quails is enough for me and that's the max amount I wanted.
do you have any advice for me? I want them to breed.
Are my quails not laying eggs because of the stress?

 

[CacklingRanch]

@seviper

Quail need multiple hens per rooster to keep them from over mating and killing the hens. At That ratio your hens will live short lives full of stress. You either need to get more hens or keep him separated.

If your max is 3, then why do you want to breed them?

 

[Johnchickens2]

well, I like chicks. I love rasing chicks and I specialy like to raise mother chicken with her chicks. I did it a lot with my chickens and I want my quails to breed, too. I will sell the chicks as soon as they get older. I like chicks.
If I let the roo to be with the hens together for only 10 min' a day, will it be enough to fretilize the eggs, and not to stress the hens as well?