Quail question

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quail dude

quail dude

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My quail are 17 weeks old so they are mature but I read that they don't start laying till about 21 weeks.. But the quail have built nests in hay and leaves does this mean they're ready to lay?
 
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Depends on what type of quail you have. I take it you must have one of the New World Quail species...Bobwhites, California, Gambels, Blue Scale, Mountains, etc.... as they usually start laying at 6 months old or the first spring after their hatch. Where as Coturnix Quail or any of the Old World Quail, will start laying at 9 weeks or so. If you have one of the first group I mentioned, they will probably start laying late spring. First year layers of this group start slowly on their first year, starting earlier each year after. They are seasonal layers as well, laying spring thru fall and depending on your weather in your area, the warmer the spring, the earlier they may start to lay. You might want to start offering up crushed oyster shell for the layers so they can start in on it when it comes time to lay. Make sure you are using a quail or turkey food...something with 24% to 28% protein to keep them laying.

You can head on over to our quail section to talk quail if you like.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/48/quail

Great to have you aboard and good luck with your quail!
 
My quail are bobwhite. And they are 17 weeks old. But they are building nests does that mean they are ready to lay?
 
Yes and no. LOL My Bobwhites have been building nests for the past month. But I know from past years that this is just the pre laying, nothing better to do nest building. LOL Usually sometime in April mine start in on breeding and laying. Yours may or may not start in April and wait til May. I have had new layers wait until June to start laying and some start in mid April. But the general rule is they will start up later this year than next.
 
Yes, they won't lay unless you get them on a quail or turkey feed with 24% to 28% protein. They can lay with less protein, but not regularly and low protein can compromise their health. Quail need high protein to thrive.
 
When they start laying should I get the males outta there or leave them?
 
Bobwhites need to be kept in pairs during breeding season. During the off season, you can keep them all together for the winter covey. But they need to have their own territory during breeding and can hurt each other badly if all kept together. So one male to one female. Any extras will need to be kept separate as the females will go after lone females and hurt them. You can keep all roos together or all females together for these odd bird out situations. Make sure neither of these males or females can see one another either. Out of sight, out of mind to keep the peace.

BUT...many times first year quail CAN stay together because they are still not yet mature. Bobwhites are not completely mature until they are 1 year old. So sometimes they will play nice this first year. But come next year, they will turn into little monsters during breeding season and you will need to separate the pairs. You can remix them in the late fall til the following spring.

It is rare for Bobwhites to go broody and raise chicks, although occasionally it does happen. They will set on eggs for a day here or there, but not constantly thru the incubation cycle. So you can either let them play house, or incubate them yourself.
 
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Oh, and they do mate for life. So once you see them pair off, try to remember who goes with who so if and when you go to separate the pairs, they are with their mates. :-)
 
People tell me that they use 3-1 ratio would they hurt each other In that ratio? and if not would it be best to sepperate them into breeder pens?
 

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