When you should expect Coturnix to lay eggs? and some other questions!

[ahmedamir]

I got 4 quails couple of weeks from supplier which were "claimed" to be a month old. They seem fine. They grew up their size a bit compared to how I got them. I am feeding them starter crumbles. I was told by supplier to give them this feed nothing else, until they start laying, then switch to layer crumbles. My question is when should I expect to get eggs from them? Though, I haven't heard any quail song yet. The voices they made are hardly recognizable if you are even 5-6 feet away from the cage. Am I missing anything? Do they need to be fed anything else too? When usually this breed matures and start laying? Is it necessary to get a quail saying before expecting any eggs? I read about feeding them BOSS. This is summer and quite hot here. Is it good idea to feed them BOSS in this season. It's around 80 F here these days and quite humid. Thanks

Here are some pics. Though, they are old. These were took the second day after I got them.

 

[quailbro]

This link has lots of answers to breeding quails and a bit about what you should feed them......https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore But if this doesnt do too well, just send me a message and ill try my best to help...........(i got my first two quail yesterday, but i only know ones sex and can't figure out the other)






From Quailbro........ill send a picture of them asap

 

[ahmedamir]

Thanks my Quailbro . I too am bit confused about sexes yet. Though, I put that problem in other thread, as I was convinced I got 50-50 of each sex, as I know bit about Chest fur sexing, thanks to BYC members. Anyways, waiting for some pics from you and more responses in the matter. Thanks

 

[ahmedamir]

This link has lots of answers to breeding quails and a bit about what you should feed them......https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore But if this doesnt do too well, just send me a message and ill try my best to help...........(i got my first two quail yesterday, but i only know ones sex and can't figure out the other)






From Quailbro........ill send a picture of them asap

After writing the previous post when I got upstairs to check on them, I found one male crowing . Now, when should I expect eggs ? Couple of days ?

 

[Sycamore27]

After writing the previous post when I got upstairs to check on them, I found one male crowing . Now, when should I expect eggs ? Couple of days ?

My females started laying a week or two after my males first started to crow. My advice, make sure they have hiding places. As soon as I added more hides I went from one egg a day to four. And don't be surprise if they start and stop, it seems like any little disturbance will stop me from getting eggs for a little while.

 

[ahmedamir]

My females started laying a week or two after my males first started to crow. My advice, make sure they have hiding places. As soon as I added more hides I went from one egg a day to four. And don't be surprise if they start and stop, it seems like any little disturbance will stop me from getting eggs for a little while.

Thanks for the reply. I'll surely try add some hiding places. Can you suggest some? seeing the pics above.

 

[TheMartianChick]

My quail hens begin to lay like clockwork at 6 weeks of age. Below, you'll find an article that I wrote for Backyard Poultry magazine a few years ago:

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/5/5-2/smooth_quailing.html

My birds never had hiding places for eggs but someone shared this interesting article with me a few months ago and I pinned it on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/pin/198580664791470650/

Since reading it, I have been paying attention to both the egg coloration and where they seem to be laying them and it seems to hold true!

 

[ahmedamir]

My quail hens begin to lay like clockwork at 6 weeks of age. Below, you'll find an article that I wrote for Backyard Poultry magazine a few years ago:

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/5/5-2/smooth_quailing.html

My birds never had hiding places for eggs but someone shared this interesting article with me a few months ago and I pinned it on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/pin/198580664791470650/

Since reading it, I have been paying attention to both the egg coloration and where they seem to be laying them and it seems to hold true!

Thanks. That's something new that I got yet. I will try that out.

 

[ahmedamir]

Well, they are now crowing very much. Both the males. I guess I should separate them. I even saw one male trying to mate with the hen . I think I am gonna get an egg soon

 

[TheMartianChick]

I don't usually separate my birds for a few more weeks. I let them live as a family unit for a bit longer. You can always tell when you absolutely MUST separate them, by the level of chaos in the cage!