Quail eggs

[WAChickens]

This past week I have found two eggs in my coup both crushed. Inside each egg has been an embryo. At first I was baffled because I don’t have a rooster so I didn’t know if our neighbors rooster had paid a visit. After looking at photos I found out that they’re quail embryo! I currently have a broody hen In my coop so not sure if she has anything to do with it. So far each egg has been crushed from I assume one of my chickens. Anybody else have this happen before or know what I can do? I live in a somewhat secluded area so we get wild birds coming in all the time but from what I know quail lay in large nests so I don’t know how their eggs are getting in my coop. Any advice?

 

[orloffer]

What species of quail are you referring to? Are you talking about a broody quail hen? I am a bit confused.

 

[WAChickens]

What species of quail are you referring to? Are you talking about a broody quail hen? I am a bit confused.

Oh sorry about that I didn’t really specify! I only have chickens and they’re all hens. I’ve been getting wild quail eggs in my chickens nesting boxes. I’m not sure what kind of quail they are but the eggs are a pale pink and it’s for sure a quail egg because of the size and development of embryo.

 

[orloffer]

Oh sorry about that I didn’t really specify! I only have chickens and they’re all hens. I’ve been getting wild quail eggs in my chickens nesting boxes. I’m not sure what kind of quail they are but the eggs are a pale pink and it’s for sure a quail egg because of the size and development of embryo.

Quail eggs in the chickens' nesting boxes? I would be interested in seeing a picture of the eggs. What kind of wild quail live in your area?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

From what I've read, no quail (except maybe buttons) lay pink eggs. Are you sure they're not a wild bird?

 

[WAChickens]

Quail eggs in the chickens' nesting boxes? I would be interested in seeing a picture of the eggs. What kind of wild quail live in your area?

Well I don’t have really any detailed photos of the eggs but I do have one of the embryo. I live in Washington and I’ve only ever seen California quail but they’re eggs look to be spotted so maybe it’s from a different bird that I’ve never seen. Or maybe it is a chicken egg and it just looks strange. This first one that appeared in the coop looks pretty developed to me so I’m not sure how it showed up in the nesting box. The one I found today I didn’t take a photo of but it was beginning to develop its shape.

 

[orloffer]

Well I don’t have really any detailed photos of the eggs but I do have one of the embryo. I live in Washington and I’ve only ever seen California quail but they’re eggs look to be spotted so maybe it’s from a different bird that I’ve never seen. Or maybe it is a chicken egg and it just looks strange. This first one that appeared in the coop looks pretty developed to me so I’m not sure how it showed up in the nesting box. The one I found today I didn’t take a photo of but it was beginning to develop its shape.

Very strange--I am not sure what to say.

 

[WAChickens]

Very strange--I am not sure what to say.

That’s alright haha I’m not to sure what to say either. At this point I’m starting to assume something is bringing these eggs in because of how developed they are. Thank you for your help!

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

That doesn't look like an embryo to me, I feel like you'd see eye or veins, maybe that's a piece of like reproductive tract??

 

[WAChickens]

That doesn't look like an embryo to me, I feel like you'd see eye or veins, maybe that's a piece of like reproductive tract??

I’ve thought the same! But when I look up quail embryo I continue to see this picture comparing a quails embryo to a chickens embryo. Not to sure how reliable the source is but It’s convinced me whatever this is isn’t from my hens