The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: funkyfish on September 16, 2012, 04:21:56 pm
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My other half bought some quail a month ago, form not the best source...( a large shop with a 'pet shop' section)
He was told they had just started laying.. we have not had one egg yet, and I think 2 of the 4 are boys... I think they will have prob stopped laying for the season anyway as the evenings are getting darker!
2 are dark coloured and two lighter- one has a pure white chest. One of the darker one has a few feathers missing on the back of ?her neck so think she is being treaded by one of the others.
They eat layers pellets and meal worms (trying to source game bird feed).
Any ideas of if we will ever get any eggs? they live in a large broody house and run type set up. I have put branches and things in their run as they are so flighty, and have put board around half of the run for shelter from the wind.
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Quail are very seasonal layers, so yes, combined with the move, it could be that they have gone off lay and won't lay again until around next Easter. Mine are still laying but are beginning to slow down.
Japanese quail come in a variety of colours so it can be quite difficult to sex them according to colour. I f they are of the "wild type" of colouring then the female will have a speckled chest while the male has a cream/beige coloured front. Can you post photos?
The male has a distinctive "crow" .... though tend not to be so vocal at this time of year and produce a foam ball when sexually mature/active .... again most noticeable in the spring/summer.
I feed mine mainly on layers mash as this is easy for me to get hold of at our local agri store. Think personally that layers pellets maybe a little large for them. Marriages do layers pellets specifically for quail .... you may have a supplier near you? They like millet as a treat and lettuce.
They appreciate a dust bath .... probably more than hens do.
Sorry, given the time of year and the shock of a move it maybe that you have to wait until spring for your eggs. ::) .... but they are yummy little eggs and quail are prolific layers. ;D
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The 'cheek' feathers are usually darker on the males, being browner.
Quails are much worse at pecking than chickens and can quickly lead to injuries, two cocks will be too much for two hens they are very frisky boys.
They need about 14hours of daylight to lay. You can light them artificially but they don't live as long
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Hi guys, thank you for your advice!
It's about what I thought. One does make a loud noise- can't really describe it!
Will wait and see what happens in the spring..
:)