Quail Start Laying Eggs
Inside: Quail grow fast so you are probably wondering when quail start laying eggs, and when you can start hatching out some more Coturnix quail.
Quail are the cutest zippy little birds. They are tiny little bouncing kernels of popcorn with feathers. If you have ever seen them, you know exactly what I am talking about. They grow fast so you are probably wondering when quail start laying eggs.
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Quail Start Laying Eggs
Get ready for a fast-paced, hobby farm, homestead animal. These little birds start by hatching in just 18 days. That's three days less than chickens. And the big differences don't stop there.
Quail grow really fast. From hatching to full growth is only about 6 weeks.
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When Do Quail Lay Eggs?
Coturnix Quail start laying eggs between 6-9 weeks typically. Which is crazy sooner than chickens who lay at around 18 weeks.
I have had quail lay sooner. One batch of quails were laying eggs before I got them outside, meaning they were laying eggs in their brooder!
Quail Need Sunlight Like Chickens
One of the most important things to consider when raising quail, however, is that quail need sunlight through the winter.
Coturnix Quail Fertility
Coturnix quail are fertile at about 7 weeks. Meaning, crack open that egg and check it out. You are going to be looking for a target. It's small.
You might need to flip the yolk over to see the target on the other side. Or maybe there isn't one. That egg may not be fertilized. The picture below is an example. It is from a chicken egg but they look the same.
How to Tell if A Male Quail is Fertile
Here's something I never thought I would be writing about. Male Coturnix quail waste. Their fertile waste at that.
One way to sex birds is to vent sex them. This is looking for a little foam when pushing on or near their vent. I have not done this. However, the foam is present once the male quail is ready to start fertilizing her female's eggs. You will see foamy poops in their cage.
As I said, everything with Coturnix quail is sped up. Within two months of hatching your first flock of quail, you could be hatching the next.
Homesteaders call chickens the gateway to livestock. Quail are too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my quail not laying eggs? If they're stressed before they begin to lay, they won't start the process. They won't lay if they aren't getting enough protein in their diet. Not enough sunlight. Poor living conditions.
What is the lifespan of a quail? The quail lifespan is about 2-3 years.
What time of day do quail lay eggs? In my experience, and after talking to other quail owners, quail tend to lay their eggs in the late afternoon – early evening.
Do male quail lay eggs? Male quail, roosters, do not lay eggs.
How many eggs do quails lay? A coturnix quail will lay no more than 1 egg per day and 300+ eggs per year.
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