Quail not laying eggs.

[Emelyn]

My quails started to lay eggs last week but all of a sudden they stopped. I always spoil them and treat them kindly I let them free range in my giant chicken coop while my chickens and ducks go free range outside and their quail coop has enough room for them to sleep and play and have fun. At first when they stopped laying for 1-2 days I just fed them them 2-3 layer pellets and they started to lay again. But now I the layer pellets again to them and they still won't lay any eggs. Does anyone know how I can make them lay again? (Also the picture of the layer feed is below)

 

[shrimpsilkies]

The issue might be them constantly switching location to the chicken coop. Moving quail from place to place can get them confused and may not lay. Alternatively they could be sick or frightened by your other birds or a predator.

What you mean by 2-3 layer pellets? 2-3 pellets each for them? That isn’t really enough to have an impact on eggs. Either their entire diet is calcium supplemented like layer feed or if you use a gamebird feed with lower calcium levels you need to provide crushed oystershell or other calcium grit for them to eat.

 

[Emelyn]

The issue might be them constantly switching location to the chicken coop. Moving quail from place to place can get them confused and may not lay. Alternatively they could be sick or frightened by your other birds or a predator.

What you mean by 2-3 layer pellets? 2-3 pellets each for them? That isn’t really enough to have an impact on eggs. Either their entire diet is calcium supplemented like layer feed or if you use a gamebird feed with lower calcium levels you need to provide crushed oystershell or other calcium grit for them to eat.

I got the quail from a person on craigslist and when I got them 2 died from the terrible conditions they used to live in by 2-3 layer pellets I mean I only put about 2-3 pieces of pellets every few days because I feel like if I give them as much as much as my chickens they can have internal problems. I don't give my quails a separate feed from my chicken because the food is suitable for game birds too. Is the feed I give them okay? Or should I change it to food made specially made for quails?

 

[Green Bean Quail]

I got the quail from a person on craigslist and when I got them 2 died from the terrible conditions they used to live in by 2-3 layer pellets I mean I only put about 2-3 pieces of pellets every few days because I feel like if I give them as much as much as my chickens they can have internal problems. I don't give my quails a separate feed from my chicken because the food is suitable for game birds too. Is the feed I give them okay? Or should I change it to food made specially made for quails?

You could grind the layer pellets with a small pestle to make them smaller and more suitable for the quail. Additionally, I would give them more than a few pellets. In my experience quail will eat what they want, I haven't had any issues with my birds overdoing it. I do agree that they may be a little stressed from moving locations so much. I had a short stint where I let mine out into a run during the day and the process of getting them back into their hutch was stressful for me and the birds! They may just need a couple days to quiet down and relax. I use game bird feed, but make sure yours has enough protein (My brand has 28 percent, but I use the same feed from beginning to end, I even supplement a little extra with hardboiled egg or insects when they are molting/need to regrow feathers. For extra calcium, just grind the eggshell in with the boiled egg and they'll eat it so long the pieces are small enough. Additionally, is the run you are letting them into bare? are there boxes, or shelters or growth for them to hide in? They may be feeling overexposed.

 

[IT Farmer]

I got the quail from a person on craigslist and when I got them 2 died from the terrible conditions they used to live in by 2-3 layer pellets I mean I only put about 2-3 pieces of pellets every few days because I feel like if I give them as much as much as my chickens they can have internal problems. I don't give my quails a separate feed from my chicken because the food is suitable for game birds too. Is the feed I give them okay? Or should I change it to food made specially made for quails?

You should get them on a Gamebird feed such as Gamebird Breeder. I would not recommend feeding them strictly "Scratch Grains" as the sole source of their diet. That is more or a treat imo. Your local feed store should carry some sort of Gamebird Starter, Gamebird Maintenance, and Gamebird Breeder feed.

 

[snood dude]

My quails started to lay eggs last week but all of a sudden they stopped. I always spoil them and treat them kindly I let them free range in my giant chicken coop while my chickens and ducks go free range outside and their quail coop has enough room for them to sleep and play and have fun. At first when they stopped laying for 1-2 days I just fed them them 2-3 layer pellets and they started to lay again. But now I the layer pellets again to them and they still won't lay any eggs. Does anyone know how I can make them lay again? (Also the picture of the layer feed is below)

feed them at least 20% protein feed. gamebirds require more protein.

 

[IT Farmer]

Also, I feed all my birds free choice. Meaning they have access to food and water 24/7. They are not going to over eat and colic like a horse would.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

Also, I feed all my birds free choice. Meaning they have access to food and water 24/7. They are not going to over eat and colic like a horse would.

I agree, as long as they have adequate space to move and stretch and walk they won’t get fat either. They self regulate very well.

 

[FloorCandy]

I think it’s a combo issue as others have said, Quail are picky and timid, and don’t respond well to being moved around a lot. The feed you’re using is too low on protein, i feed mine 24-28% all stages and they are healthy and strong, and lay like crazy. Just give them one constant place to live, with plenty of hides, they don’t like being dragged back and forth to new places, also keep in mind they don’t have a set pattern or place to lay, if you aren’t finding the eggs before the chickens return to their coop, the chickens may be eating or destroying them before you get them.

 

[Emelyn]

You could grind the layer pellets with a small pestle to make them smaller and more suitable for the quail. Additionally, I would give them more than a few pellets. In my experience quail will eat what they want, I haven't had any issues with my birds overdoing it. I do agree that they may be a little stressed from moving locations so much. I had a short stint where I let mine out into a run during the day and the process of getting them back into their hutch was stressful for me and the birds! They may just need a couple days to quiet down and relax. I use game bird feed, but make sure yours has enough protein (My brand has 28 percent, but I use the same feed from beginning to end, I even supplement a little extra with hardboiled egg or insects when they are molting/need to regrow feathers. For extra calcium, just grind the eggshell in with the boiled egg and they'll eat it so long the pieces are small enough. Additionally, is the run you are letting them into bare? are there boxes, or shelters or growth for them to hide in? They may be feeling overexposed.

They actually don't have any boxes to hide in but I will built them a box