My quail will just not lay!

[nicoskk]

i have 17 coturnix quail in 3 cages. 1st: 4 female 2 male. 2nd has 5 female 2 male and 3rd has 2 pairs. Each cage is 28in x 18in.
I've tried everything. Good food, clean water, added light for 16-17 hours a day (even though we have 11 hours of light during winter, here in my country Cyprus). We have a mild winter here, so i didn't bother setting up a heat lamp. What else can i try so i can get them to start laying?

Sorry for the bad quality of pictures, but they were taken at night, with my cell phone

Waiting for your help
Nicos

 

[miss_thenorth]

How old are they? I had some that were probably 14 weeks old before they laid, when mine usually start laying around 6-8 weeks. Are they getting enought protein?

 

[nicoskk]

they are around 35-40 weeks old. And i make sure they are getting enough protein. I add to their food vegetables or crushed cat food or bread or so...

 

[Prettiest Frog]

Are you sure they aren't laying and then eating the eggs?

 

[Bettacreek]

I'm going to say that they're too old. Good production is supposed to drop off at a year or so.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Wow! Have they ever laid eggs? I'm not sure how long they lay for, but I think it's something like 2 years. That's a tough one. Have they been moved or anything lately? Sometimes a disruption could set them back a bit. Other than that, it sounds like you are doing everything right, so I don't know what more to tell you.

I have mine on I think 22% protein feed. I believe they need more than 18%. the bread and veggies won't help with the protein, but the cat food would. Maybe you could scramble up some eggs or something.

Hope you figure it out, and welcome to BYC. My best friend growing up was Greek, I know--not Cyprian, but close. I loved seeing her pics when she went over for the summers.

 

[nicoskk]

Quote:
Well i am almost sure. I check the quail on a regular basis 5-6 times a day. If they are eating the eggs i would see some "evidence" in the cage, but so far, nothing.
Do you think that the cages are too small?

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Quote:
He says they are 35-40 weeks old. (A year is 52 weeks.)

ETA:

 

[nicoskk]

Quote:
Nope, never laid an egg!, i bought them 7 months ago.
Well, us Cypriots, are Greeks

We speak Greek, we have the Greek anthem, and next to our flag you will always see the Greek flag.

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
He says they are 35-40 weeks old. (A year is 52 weeks.)

ETA:

Lmao. I was reading it as months. Nerr.