Only one of four quail laying

[sarabeth485]

Hi all. So I've been trying to be patient but only one of my four quail is currently laying any eggs and I'm starting to wonder what the deal is.

I got five young (supposedly) female quail in the middle of July and was told by the breeder they should start laying in early August. Well, one ended up being a male which I discovered when he started crowing right at the beginning of August. Then by the second week in August one had started laying eggs sporadically. Then a few weeks later a second started as well. Shortly after the second started the first one stopped though. Now I get nearly an egg a day from that same bird but not the other three.

What gives? They've got to be around twelve weeks now. The five birds are together in a raised coop with straw on the floor and about 11 square feet of space. They have an enclosed nest box that they like to hang out in and where the egg we do get is typically laid. They get fed a turkey starter with 25% protein along with some fruit and veggie scraps, herbs and a little grain. They have access to crushed egg shell for calcium. They have a sand/dirt bath they like to flop around in. The days are getting a bit shorter (12-13 hours) so a few weeks ago I put in a string of Christmas lights on a 14 hour timer. We've been getting a lot of rain so in an effort to keep them a little drier I also put a tarp over their coop which covers the top and the long back side leaving only the long front side and one short side uncovered.

The one that does lay has a large bald spot on her head from being mated so frequently. I've seen the male go after the others too but I wonder if he singles her out because she is laying. Not sure that would make any difference to the others but thought I would mention it.

Anyway, any thoughts or advice? Just need to be patient? Thanks!

 

[le_bwah]

It's likely that the Christmas lights aren't providing enough light to keep the hens laying, and/or that the tarp is interfering with what natural light they do get. I think it's safe to expect eggs come spring unless you add more light now (keeping in mind that through-winter laying reduces their lifespans).

And it's normal for the male to prefer the laying hen, but you'll have to intervene if he keeps harassing her; no need to cause the poor thing that much stress.

 

[Sara L]

Have you gone through the straw? Some of mine are on shavings and they hide the eggs under the shavings, so unless I look each day I end up finding hidden nests when I go to change out the shavings. They haven't gone broody unfortunately but they do like hiding the eggs.