When does mating happen?

[TonysChickens]

When do coturnix quails start mating? My quails been laying eggs for 3 weeks now, and I started collecting eggs last week (so they laid for 2 weeks before i collected) and only 1 of the quails seem to have fertile eggs. They all lay distinct eggs and one set is fertile while the rest weren't. I haven't really heard any males making calls yet this year. Maybe I collected too early.

I also built them a new coop this spring before they started laying. It is also quite a bit darker than the old one since all sides except the bottom and the doors have light entering. It should be a lot nicer though, since the roof is polycarbonate, i won't have to worry about wet food anymore. I should post this on the show off quail coop thread sometime.

 

[ThaJuicyJuice]

When I first started with quail, I don't think I heard a roo crow for 4-5 months. I was still getting fertile eggs though. But that could have been after around 12 weeks. Believe me, if you have a lot of roos you'll wish they stopped crowing. They are constant if there are other roos around. If the quail pen is dark then cut a large whole in the roof the size of a soda bottle. Use a clear soda bottle and fill it with water and secure it in the whole. It works as a free solar light even if there is not much direct sunlight. affix asmany as you desire in this fashion to increase illumination,

 

[dc3085]

When do coturnix quails start mating? My quails been laying eggs for 3 weeks now, and I started collecting eggs last week (so they laid for 2 weeks before i collected) and only 1 of the quails seem to have fertile eggs. They all lay distinct eggs and one set is fertile while the rest weren't. I haven't really heard any males making calls yet this year. Maybe I collected too early.

I also built them a new coop this spring before they started laying. It is also quite a bit darker than the old one since all sides except the bottom and the doors have light entering. It should be a lot nicer though, since the roof is polycarbonate, i won't have to worry about wet food anymore. I should post this on the show off quail coop thread sometime.

Patience. It takes two full weeks at the very least for fertility to work itself out. The other hens may not yet be generating receptive embryos, so just give it another week before you worry. Also are you checking fertility in an incubator or by eye?

 

[TonysChickens]

checking fertility in a incubator.
I love that solar light idea! will definitely try something like that.