Our Quail Hatching Story

[abbymckinn]

If anyone has quail, we have some that are old enough to be laying, but they aren't! Te lady we got them from said they where a month old a little after Christmas! Anyone know why they aren't laying?!

 

[TwoCrows]

If anyone has quail, we have some that are old enough to be laying, but they aren't! Te lady we got them from said they where a month old a little after Christmas! Anyone know why they aren't laying?!

What breed are they? It can depend on the breed as some start laying at 9 weeks of age, and others don't start laying until after 6 months of age.

Quail are seasonal layers and if not forced into laying with added light, will start laying in the spring and lay thru til early fall and then stop thru winter. Make sure to keep them on gamebird food as quail need a high protein diet. Somewhere between 24% and 28% protein. Offer up crushed oystershell on the side for the layers.

 

[abbymckinn]

They are coturnix. They are on a mashed layer feed, should I feed them more protein?

 

[TwoCrows]

If you are not adding extra lighting or heat to their area, you will have to wait til spring to get eggs. Quail are seasonal layers. Unlike chickens, they don't lay every day. They keep to their wild kin ways and only lay spring thru fall. Depending on what your weather is like in your area, you should start to see eggs in a about a month or so.

If you have males with these females, don't feed layer feed. Too much calcium in the layer feed for the males. Most quail people feed starter feed for all their lives and crushed oyster shell on the side for the layers. Just make sure you are feeding them something with 24% to 28% protein to get keep the laying well.

 

[TwoCrows]

Also, make sure if you do keep males, your ratio is right or the hens will not lay. 1 male to 4 to 7 females. If you only keep females, then don't worry about a ratio. Any less females with 1 male and the male can mate them to death. Hens get stressed when over mated and won't lay. Any stress will cause them not to lay. Make sure they have at least 2 square foot per bird, a dust bathing area and an area to get off the wire if you keep them on wire. Keep them in a quiet area and make sure they are not being harrassed by critters of the night.

 

[abbymckinn]

Ok thanks for the feed info, we have a critter that keeps moving the rocks we have around their pen, and they are big 7 pound rocks. Could the be another reason that they aren't laying?

 

[TwoCrows]

This could cause enough stress to cause them not to lay. But light and heat are big reasons why they won't lay too. Stress is big as well. So do your best to stop what ever it is bothering them and in a month or so they should be laying. You are in San Antonio TX? They should be laying by early April. If they aren't, then something is going on to prevent them from laying. Hopefully they start laying soon.

 

[abbymckinn]

Yes! We have had them a while, and I want eggs! Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes! We have had them a while, and I want eggs! Thanks so much for your help!!

If they still aren't laying in a month, get back with me. You can pm me if I miss this thread. LOL And we can talk further on this subject.

Oh, and I keep bobwhites.

 

[abbymckinn]

Cool! My dad wanted bobwhites, but coturnix just seemed better for us. Thanks again for all the help!