Quail Eggs

[St Marks Quail Farm]

I have noticed my 'Golden Cockbird' mating with virtually all four of the hens. I am yet to discover any Eggs.

I am banning them from Dried Mealworms (Until I find eggs) I have just put in crushed grit/Oyster shell and fed them some lettuce this morning. I think I might of fed them too many Mealworms as I've heard too much protein can stop them from laying eggs temporarily.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I know I previously replied on your protein thread and cutting down on the worms when they're at laying age will help.

However, I don't think I saw how old your Quails are? (The are Coturnix aren't they?)

Also, laying can be effected by the amount of daylight they are getting and their housing.

Are your Quails housed outdoors? What type of cage are they in? Plus what type of nesting area/hiding areas do they have? ​

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

Roughly 8 - 8 half weeks. They are Corturnix Japonica (Japanese Quail). The Cockbird has been happily mating with most of the Hens for the last couple of days.

I would presume their housing is more than adequate? They seem very happy as well. I moved them up from some smaller housing I had for them.

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

If you are interested, this is their main feed.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Roughly 8 - 8 half weeks. They are Corturnix Japonica (Japanese Quail). The Cockbird has been happily mating with most of the Hens for the last couple of days.

I would presume their housing is more than adequate? They seem very happy as well. I moved them up from some smaller housing I had for them.

Yes I'd say that's perfectly adequate! Pretty much very similar to my set up except mines in a hutch form!

I'd maybe suggest adding another form of water supply for them in either a shallow bowl or clip on dish that clips onto the bars.
I tried a plastic bottle water drinker and mine never drank from it. Unless yours do then it's perfectly fine!
I think mine are just lazy...

Since your set up is fine and they have plenty of space, the only other thing I can think could be causing it is the male delaying their laying.

Males tend to reach sexual maturity before the hens begin to lay. I have read that overly enthusiastic males mating females can push back the time they start to lay.

Hens should begin laying between 6-8 weeks of age. However, one of my females didn't lay till she was around 10 weeks. I also had a male mating them before they started laying.

If possible, maybe remove the male for a few weeks to give the hens some time to start preparing to lay. It's not urgent as they will begin to lay, it just might be a little later.

One other thought is that your females might be submissive males! Have you sexed them since they have reached maturity?

Quails are strange little creatures!​

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

Yes I'd say that's perfectly adequate! Pretty much very similar to my set up except mines in a hutch form!

I'd maybe suggest adding another form of water supply for them in either a shallow bowl or clip on dish that clips onto the bars.
I tried a plastic bottle water drinker and mine never drank from it. Unless yours do then it's perfectly fine!
I think mine are just lazy...

Since your set up is fine and they have plenty of space, the only other thing I can think could be causing it is the male delaying their laying.

Males tend to reach sexual maturity before the hens begin to lay. I have read that overly enthusiastic males mating females can push back the time they start to lay.

Hens should begin laying between 6-8 weeks of age. However, one of my females didn't lay till she was around 10 weeks. I also had a male mating them before they started laying.

If possible, maybe remove the male for a few weeks to give the hens some time to start preparing to lay. It's not urgent as they will begin to lay, it just might be a little later.

One other thought is that your females might be submissive males! Have you sexed them since they have reached maturity?

Quails are strange little creatures!​

I am almost 100% sure the three pure Japanese Hen's are female, judging by what I've read in the book. Just slightly sceptical about the half Tuxedo.

If I don't see any Eggs by Friday morning I'll vent them. To be honest, the Golden Cockbird seems like the only male judging from his calls and behaviours none of the other Quail exhibit.

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

This is their nesting area which is felt roofed, and even comes with a Perplex window on the side.

I read all kinds of stuff: Some say 6 weeks, others say 8 weeks and some even say 10 weeks.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I am almost 100% sure the three pure Japanese Hen's are female, judging by what I've read in the book. Just slightly sceptical about the half Tuxedo.

If I don't see any Eggs by Friday morning I'll vent them. To be honest, the Golden Cockbird seems like the only male judging from his calls and behaviours none of the other Quail exhibit.

Ah yes luckily the sexing of mature Quails is pretty simple compared to most birds.

I accidentally purchased 3 males and put them in with a paired Quails and gosh it looked like a white foam party

Of course they had to be sold on, my silly mistake for not checking them before I bought them.

If they continue to not lay there may be somone more experienced on here that has another suggestion as to what it could be. I hope they do start laying for you though!​

 

[CoturnixComplex]

This is their nesting area which is felt roofed, and even comes with a Perplex window on the side.

I read all kinds of stuff: Some say 6 weeks, others say 8 weeks and some even say 10 weeks.

That's because there is no hard and fast rule. Some strains lay earlier and certain diets get them grown faster.

Personally, my birds are raised indoors on a mild light cycle and fed 30% to 6 weeks, weaned down to 25% by 8 weeks. 80% of my hens from multiple genetic backgrounds are laying by 7 weeks, which is a little quicker than others I know who A. Keep them outdoors or B. Feed more like 24% from the get go.

BUT others also have better luck with totally different systems than me so it's all about experimenting.

Start throwing in some high quality black oil sunflower seeds along with the worms. And, as mentioned, make sure they're getting about 14 hrs of light a day and 8-10 of full darkness.

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

That's because there is no hard and fast rule. Some strains lay earlier and certain diets get them grown faster.

Personally, my birds are raised indoors on a mild light cycle and fed 30% to 6 weeks, weaned down to 25% by 8 weeks. 80% of my hens from multiple genetic backgrounds are laying by 7 weeks, which is a little quicker than others I know who A. Keep them outdoors or B. Feed more like 24% from the get go.

BUT others also have better luck with totally different systems than me so it's all about experimenting.

Start throwing in some high quality black oil sunflower seeds along with the worms. And, as mentioned, make sure they're getting about 14 hrs of light a day and 8-10 of full darkness.

Thanks for the advice. I put a car cover on their enclosure when it gets darks, and there are Sunflower seeds in the Wild Bird Seed mix I feed them. I feed them 20% Quails Layers Pellets and give the Dried Mealworms. I also offer them crushed grit/Oyster shell.

Now and again, I give lettuce and strawberries.