to cut a long story short, we recently re homed 6 quail from a lady who was unable to look after them, 2 button quail and 4 Japanese quail, of which 2 are light colored and the others are dark, she told us that the lighter ones were males but I am increasing coming to believe that they are all hens lol I researched the internet and found identical birds classed as Italian quail ( a colour variation not the opposite sex or a different breed!)
I am hoping someone with quail experience can give me some advice as we have had no eggs yet, (only been with us for 6 days so it might be early days)
they were being fed budgie food and I have put them on proper layers mash for quails from a local poultry food specialist. I have also given them oyster shell as this was recommended.
I brought some Millet sprays and new water feeders and they are eating well. they are currently in a hutch with a run and we are awaiting a lovely new aviary at the end of the month. Do I need to be concerned that they are not laying? will they get egg bound? they are very skittish and from what I can make out had very little contact with the owner apart from when she could feed them, when my friend picked them up there were over 50 eggs laying around the floor! we are not sure of their ages...under one year apparently.
any advice will be appreciated!
I am hoping someone with quail experience can give me some advice as we have had no eggs yet, (only been with us for 6 days so it might be early days)
they were being fed budgie food and I have put them on proper layers mash for quails from a local poultry food specialist. I have also given them oyster shell as this was recommended.
I brought some Millet sprays and new water feeders and they are eating well. they are currently in a hutch with a run and we are awaiting a lovely new aviary at the end of the month. Do I need to be concerned that they are not laying? will they get egg bound? they are very skittish and from what I can make out had very little contact with the owner apart from when she could feed them, when my friend picked them up there were over 50 eggs laying around the floor! we are not sure of their ages...under one year apparently.
any advice will be appreciated!