Question .-.

[Kale the Quail]

hi, I have a question. how many years do quails lay eggs? i have two hatchings of quails from last year (4 months apart) and only one out of 3 of the females from the second batch is laying. From the first batch, only one out of 5 females are laying.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

Most sources are quoting, that after the first year, they are laying less.

And as they have only a expected life of 2-3 years (but I also read in a german forum, a guy who had a 5 year old roo, nearly blind and limping ... but still finds the food and water disperser) this sounds logical.

My oldest hens are 1.5 years, and they still are laying every day.
Life is no machine, ... always expect the unexpected

 

[Kale the Quail]

thanks

 

[FloorCandy]

Did you light the coop so they laid all winter? I’ve heard if you force them to lay in the winter they live shorter lengths and they only lay reliably the first year. If they rest all winter they can lay a second or third season, and they can live 4-5 years. But mine are babies so this is just what I’ve read, no first hand experience yet.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

I do not supply artificial light.
But till yet, I have my coops on the balkony... maybe the light from the livingroom made one group to lay all winter.
The other group paused from November till mid January... maybe they were in a kinda "shadow"

Will be interesting, how they will lay, when I will move them to my new little farming lot.
As I have quails since nearly 2 years, I also do not have that much practical experience.
I just have much info exchance with other local breeders.