Show me the light!

What is going on with my quails?

They are being fed like Royalty and now don’t appear to be keeping their end of the bargain by laying eggs once in a while.

Eggs stopped coming 3 weeks ago when I was away in America (surely they could not have missed me that much).

I do not have any artificial light in my shed/aviary. Could that be the reason, and when do they start laying eggs again?

Blackjack

quails stop laying wene the day light hours get shorter then start laying again in the new year only way to keep them laying is to keep lighting on for think its 15 hours a day someone will answer shortly that can give you exact times that lights need to be on

yes im sure its down to shortage of day light hours i think it is 16 hours a day.

keelan

Hi Blackjack

lol - I'm sure they missed you

But, it is the time of year when the naturally stop laying. I was told that if you wanted to get them started laying again you should extend there light by an hour a day until they're on 16 hours of light - it better for them than just doubling there light all of a sudden. If you want to leave it to nature they'll probably start laying again in March/April.

Suz

Hi Blackjack,

If you want your quail to continue to lay during the winter, extra lighting is the answer.

At this time of year, there is only just over 10 hours day lenth, approx 8am-6pm. If you want your birds to lay, they must have a miminum of 14 hours per day.

Increase day length by ½ hour per day, until you have reached 14, this method will stimulate the hens into layer, much bettet than sticking an extra 4/6 hours on at once. Costs can be cut by using the new low enegy light bulbs, I think mine are only 7 watts. Derek.

Well you did say that my quails would start laying again around March/April and sure enough 3 eggs appeared this morning.

Blackjack

Brilliant,

My girls are off laying at the minute and because they are almost bald i am assuming they are going through a moult and need all their energy for new feathers, they do all look a bit silly though

But they were all in the garage over winter and with the lights on often they laid twice a day, which was lovely, but now they are in outside quarters they are laying very intermittently.

So i think for my ladies it is a combination of moult and less light.

The boys on the other hand are completely opposite (not that they are laying!!!) They look very sleek and gorgeous and are lets put it politely enjoying the arrival of Spring

Bright Blessings
Batty XxX

PS glad some eggs have appeared for you though, maybe they missed their Daddy

So glad your getting eggs again Blackjack Are you going to eat or incubate them?

Suz

wait till spring they will soon start laying

try not to give them any artificial lighting as its unfair to the bird

Luke