Soft Quail eggs

[onionheadtg2014]

Hi I got my first quail egg 2 days ago and today I had 2 eggs in the pen. One was like the usual egg but the other was a soft rubbery texture. The rubbery one had been stepped on and smashed. I am wondering if I need to give a calcium supplement to them like oyster shells? I have 11 coturnix quail and they are on chick starter as my chickens are still babies and the quail are still growing. What should I do?

 

[Da Falconer]

I get those too when young hens just come of age. Don't panic don't feed any calcium supplement yet they are too young. The next egg should be OK. I get double yokes too on the first timers. Never know.

 

[onionheadtg2014]

I am gonna incubate all eggs tht I get right now..... Another question would be do you think that the first eggs are fertile? If so how would a double yolk work during incubation? Wouldn't it be too little for twin chicks?

 

[dc3085]

You'll want to give them some calcium eventually, just right now it's not a concern because young hens almost always have a period of laying odd and off sized egg. I start feeding oyster shell freely (as much as they want) around 12-14 weeks when the birds are all filled out. Birds understand and regulate their own consumption of required minerals for the most part.

 

[dc3085]

I am gonna incubate all eggs tht I get right now..... Another question would be do you think that the first eggs are fertile? If so how would a double yolk work during incubation? Wouldn't it be too little for twin chicks?

Double yolk often develop twins but I've never heard/seen/read about a set hatching, I believe there isn't sufficient oxygen to sustain both. Typically it takes 2 weeks after the onset of laying to establish fertility but if you aren't hurting for space in your bator save up ten days worth and run them, you only stand to lose a few bucks in electricity.

 

[onionheadtg2014]

Cool thanks, I appreciate the help. I am gonna incubate the eggs I gather up until Tuesday and then I will set them.... Whats the worst that could happen? They don't hatch lol Its not a huge loss anyway.

 

[Da Falconer]

Chances of the first weeks eggs being fertile are slim, I take and cook them up for the dogs. I hatch chicks every 2 days right now. A continuous rotation to feed my falcons. I fill a tray of 20 eggs, that goes into the incubator, a tray is removed and placed into the hatcher. I bought a bag of oyster shells back when I planned this idea, never even opened the bag yet. I just started messing around eating the eggs myself because I am producing more than I can use. Tasty little things, you may want to try them too before incubating. They make great deviled eggs, just had them poached this morning, tried a few other recipes too. Don't rush things, best advise I can give

 

[LavLady]

They make great deviled eggs,

I can't wait to have itty bitty teensy weensy deviled eggs! Too bad I won't have them by Easter.

Ok, so here is a funny, my in-laws refuse to eat my EE and brown eggs, ( they actually buy icky white store bought eggs when they come up to visit!) I'd surely throw them if I served a bunch of quail eggs. I'm getting my flock started because I see these awesome birds as a sustainability tool, but I don't mind in the least upsetting the in-laws as a by product!

 

[kaelen37]

I'm getting about six eggs a day out of my six hens, love it. But when we bring them in to crack to eat, the shells are very soft. I need to jam my thumb through in order to crack them. Will an oyster shell supplement harden the shell up so they will crack like a normal egg? Or is this just how they are? Doesn't really bother me either way just wondering. Thanks

 

[Bryam]

Yes oyster shells are a must!