new to quail raising

[Lynn Manes]

We bought 4 females & 1 male Coturnix quail. One female died after only a couple of weeks. Unknown as to why,so haven't replaced her yet. They were laying from Day 1. Getting at least 2 eggs daily. Then temps changed here from 80's to cold & rainy about a month ago. Since then no eggs. We just built a larger,nice new pen and put them in it 2 days ago. They seem so much happier but still no eggs. The male was chasing the girls too. How much longer should I wait for eggs? I'm about ready to put these 5 in my freezer and start over.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

quail are quite sensitive to change, and moving will totally make them stop laying for at least 2 weeks or longer. Temperature can also have an effect, but light and change are the biggest factors. i would wait a few weeks at least before butchering them...they will always stop laying after being moved to new cages...I've even had them stop laying because i got them a new feeders.

 

[Lynn Manes]

quail are quite sensitive to change, and moving will totally make them stop laying for at least 2 weeks or longer. Temperature can also have an effect, but light and change are the biggest factors. i would wait a few weeks at least before butchering them...they will always stop laying after being moved to new cages...I've even had them stop laying because i got them a new feeders. 

 

[Lynn Manes]

After writing the first post, when I checked my pen this morning8ng, lo and behold there was one quail egg. Perhaps these little ones will escape the butcher block after all I was told 6 females to 1 male but have just read the ratio is 2 per male. I was planning on purchasing 3 more females. What do you think?

 

[JJSS89]

6:1 is good. It will prevent any hens from getting too much attention

 

[sniper338]

Honestly it all depends on the temperment of your quail... Ive had to keep 5 hens to 1 male, and 2 hens to one male AND 1 hen to one male before... A&MS are more aggressive towards each other so they need more space... lots of factors... easiest way to tell is if hens are getting too many feather plucked out of their heads, you need more females.. missing head feathers is usually overr breeding.