Smaller eggs?

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

The last few eggs my quail have laid have had a couple small ones. Because it was two in a row (over two day) is why I am asking if this is something I need to fix? They've been laying nice big eggs up till this point, nothing has changed.
Also with the potential that they might incubate these should I take then out? Incase small egg means an unhealthy chick?
The latest eggs (laid 30th - 1st)

The two small ones compared to the older eggs
(Laid 23rd - 29th)

 

[nuthatched]

Maybe less mature hens lay the smaller eggs, I personally wouldn't incubate since too small of an egg will make it hard for a chick to hatch.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Maybe less mature hens lay the smaller eggs, I personally wouldn't incubate since too small of an egg will make it hard for a chick to hatch.

There's only two hens and they've both been laying for about the same time (since the 8th of december). This is why I am finding it odd that suddenly one of them is laying small eggs.
I will take the small eggs out so they don't get incubated.

 

[nuthatched]

There's only two hens and they've both been laying for about the same time (since the 8th of december). This is why I am finding it odd that suddenly one of them is laying small eggs.
I will take the small eggs out so they don't get incubated.

They are still maturing, their systems are still learning to lay eggs. A few weird eggs are normal. Have you confirmed fertility?

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

They are still maturing, their systems are still learning to lay eggs. A few weird eggs are normal. Have you confirmed fertility?

Yes. Put seven eggs in the incubator, still got six and they're due in 7 days.

 

[muddy75]

The last few eggs my quail have laid have had a couple small ones. Because it was two in a row (over two day) is why I am asking if this is something I need to fix? They've been laying nice big eggs up till this point, nothing has changed.
Also with the potential that they might incubate these should I take then out? Incase small egg means an unhealthy chick?
The latest eggs (laid 30th - 1st)
View attachment 3363525
The two small ones compared to the older eggs
(Laid 23rd - 29th)
View attachment 3363523 View attachment 3363524

I’m not seeing a major difference in size vs pattern in your photos. Any chance you took weights of the eggs? Or can from now on? As stated by others, newish layers can present with a variety of size in eggs. Coturnix will also lay a distinct pattern of egg so you can get an idea of different eggs in your covey. And size, fertility etc may also vary in regard to daylight and breeding season.

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

I’m not seeing a major difference in size vs pattern in your photos. Any chance you took weights of the eggs? Or can from now on? As stated by others, newish layers can present with a variety of size in eggs. Coturnix will also lay a distinct pattern of egg so you can get an idea of different eggs in your covey. And size, fertility etc may also vary in regard to daylight and breeding season.

Ok, so I was just a little paranoid. Glad that it is nothing to worry about. It's my first time owning Valley quail and didn't want to mess anything up.
Why do you ask about weighing the eggs? I haven't weight any, but I still have them all. There's the six in the incubator and then every other one is still in the aviary with the quail as I am testing if they'll go broody and hatch the eggs themselves. I can still get weights if you want them?

 

[muddy75]

Ok, so I was just a little paranoid. Glad that it is nothing to worry about. It's my first time owning Valley quail and didn't want to mess anything up.
Why do you ask about weighing the eggs? I haven't weight any, but I still have them all. There's the six in the incubator and then every other one is still in the aviary with the quail as I am testing if they'll go broody and hatch the eggs themselves. I can still get weights if you want them?

I mentioned weight as it is more accurate measurement of true size differences. Of course, the goal of incubation is reduction in weight so maybe start weighing new collections. I’m not sure if egg pattern is same in valley quail.

 

[007Sean]

I was thinking those were Valley or Gamble eggs, not Coturnix. Anyway, young birds will lay an occasional small egg....Valleys will lay small eggs much more than other quail, I don't know the reason for this but that has been my experience with Valleys. I just don't incubate the small eggs, or odd shaped, or odd 'bloom' shelled eggs.

 

[007Sean]

I mentioned weight as it is more accurate measurement of true size differences. Of course, the goal of incubation is reduction in weight so maybe start weighing new collections. I’m not sure if egg pattern is same in valley quail.

No, Valleys, Gambles, Blue Scale have different pattern. They are different every time a new egg is layed.