Quails are prolific egg layers that can produce eggs on an almost daily basis under optimal conditions. The laying frequency depends on factors like the breed, age, diet, lighting conditions and overall health of the bird. On average, most quail hens will lay between 200-300 eggs per year. This averages out to about 1 egg every 1-2 days. However, during peak production periods, they are capable of laying an egg almost every day.
What is the average number of eggs a quail lays per year?
The average number of eggs a quail lays per year ranges from 150-300. The exact number depends on the breed and individual bird. Some of the most common quail breeds and their average yearly egg production include:
- Coturnix quail – 250-300 eggs per year
- Button quail – 200-250 eggs per year
- Bobwhite quail – 150-200 eggs per year
- Jumbo or Giant quail – 180-250 eggs per year
Coturnix quail are the most productive, laying up to 300 small, tan eggs per year. Jumbos and Giants lay larger eggs but fewer overall. Bobwhites are popular for their hardiness but lay slightly fewer eggs than other breeds. With proper care and feeding, most backyard quail flocks will average around 5-6 eggs per week, or 250-300 per year during peak production.
How many eggs do quails lay per day?
Under optimal conditions, quails can lay an egg almost every day. However, their daily egg production depends on the individual bird’s laying cycle. Here is what you can expect:
- Young quails 4-8 weeks old will not lay daily. They may produce an egg every 1-2 days as they mature.
- Most hens reach peak production at 6-8 months old when they’ll lay 4-7 eggs per week.
- Older quails 12+ months old will lay less frequently, around 2-3 eggs per week.
Daily egg production is highest when quails are between 5-10 months old. With 14-16 hours of daylight, nesting areas, and a nutritious diet, healthy hens can lay one egg almost every single day during this peak period.
What factors affect quail egg laying?
Several factors influence quail egg production including:
Age
Quails start laying eggs between 6-8 weeks old but won’t reach peak production until 5-10 months old. Egg laying declines as the birds age past 1-2 years old.
Day length
Quails are stimulated to lay by 14-16 hours of daylight. Providing extra lighting triggers hormones that increase egg production.
Diet
A balanced diet high in calcium and protein is essential for optimal egg production. Feeding a quality quail layer feed ensures good laying rates.
Environment
Stress from predators, illness, or poor housing conditions can cause a significant drop in egg production. Secure, clean housing reduces these issues.
Broodiness
Some hens may stop laying to sit on a nest and brood eggs. Removing eggs promptly prevents this natural behavior.
Molting
Quails stop laying eggs for 4-6 weeks during their annual molt while new feathers grow in. Extra protein can offset reduced egg laying.
Individual variation
Genetics play a role in natural laying ability. Some hens will simply lay less than others under the same conditions.
How do you maximize quail egg production?
Here are some tips to maximize the number of eggs your quails produce:
Choose productive breeds
Coturnix and Jumbo quails are bred specifically for egg production. Avoid rarer exhibition breeds.
House young and old quails separately
Don’t mix age groups. Older birds can suppress laying in younger hens.
Provide 14-16 hours of light daily
Extend daylight hours with a timer and artificial lighting to stimulate laying year-round.
Feed a quality layer feed
Choose a feed like Lyric brand for quails that is 16-20% protein and contains extra calcium.
Offer oyster shell grit
Free choice grit provides additional calcium needed for egg shell strength.
Reduce stressors
Minimize loud noises, predators, overcrowding, illness and disruption to encourage laying.
Collect eggs frequently
Removing eggs from nests prevents broodiness and keeps hens laying more eggs.
What is the quail’s egg laying cycle?
Like chickens, quail follow a daily egg laying cycle:
- 8 hours before oviposition – The yolk (ovum) matures in the ovary.
- 6 hours before oviposition – The ovum is released into the oviduct.
- 3 hours before oviposition – Egg white layers form around the yolk in the oviduct.
- 30 minutes before oviposition – Shell membrane layers are added.
- Oviposition – The egg shell is formed and the egg is laid.
This cycle repeats itself approximately every 25 hours as each new egg is formed and laid. Timing can vary slightly between individual hens.
Do quails lay eggs without a mate?
Yes, hens do not require the presence of a male to lay eggs. Egg laying is triggered by increasing daylight hours rather than mating. Even in the absence of a rooster, hens will still lay fertile eggs, they simply won’t hatch unless incubated.
At what age do quails start laying eggs?
Most quails will start laying eggs between 6-8 weeks of age. However, production is often sporadic at first with young birds skipping days between eggs. Quails reach full maturity and maximum lay rate at 5-6 months old.
Here’s a guide to egg laying onset by age:
- 4 weeks old – No egg laying
- 6-8 weeks old – Starts laying 1 egg every 1-2 days
- 12 weeks old – Increase to 2-3 eggs per week
- 5 months old – Peak production of 4-7 eggs per week
Providing extra daylight hours can help bring young quails into lay slightly earlier. But maturity level is the biggest factor influencing onset of egg production.
How long do quails lay eggs?
The length of time a quail hen lays eggs depends on health and longevity. Under ideal conditions:
- Most hens will lay eggs regularly for 1-2 years.
- Egg production declines significantly after 2 years old.
- Quails may live and lay intermittently up to 3-5 years old.
- Older hens 3+ years lay only sporadically, around 1-2 eggs per week.
To maximize laying lifespan, provide excellent care and nutrition. Avoid excess stress on the birds as well. With proper management, expect 1-2 years of abundant egg production.
How many eggs does a quail lay in its lifetime?
The total number of eggs a quail lays in her lifetime depends on longevity and how long she remains productive. Most hens will lay between 500-600 eggs over 1-2 years assuming:
- They start laying at 6-8 weeks old.
- Stay healthy and vigorous for 2 years of laying.
- Average around 5-6 eggs per week during peak production months.
With excellent care, some quails may lay closer to 900 eggs in their lifetime while confined hens used for commercial egg production may lay up to 1,500-2,000 eggs over a shorter 2-3 year lifespan.
What month do quails start laying eggs?
Quails can start laying eggs any month once they reach 6-8 weeks old. Egg production is not dependent on the time of year. The determining factors are:
- Breed – Some breeds mature and start laying sooner than others.
- Age – Most quails begin laying at 6-8 weeks old.
- Day length – Increasing daylight stimulates laying.
- Diet – Adequate nutrition is needed to support egg production.
To encourage early onset of laying, provide at least 14 hours of light per day, maximize feed quality, and choose a fast-maturing breed like Coturnix.
How many eggs does a quail lay per week?
A healthy, productive quail hen will lay 4-7 eggs per week on average. Egg production varies based on:
- Age – Young and old quails lay less than mature adults.
- Time of year – More eggs are laid in spring/summer.
- Individual hen – Some naturally lay more than others.
- Breed – Coturnix are the most prolific layers.
Daily egg production is highest when quails are between 5-10 months old. With 14-16 hours of daylight, nesting areas, and a nutritious diet, healthy hens can lay up to one egg daily during peak production.
Do quails lay eggs every day?
Quail hens have the ability to lay an egg almost every day under optimal conditions. However, most backyard flocks will average closer to 5-6 eggs per week rather than daily egg laying.
Here are some reasons quails may not lay daily:
- They are too young or too old – Peak at 5-10 months
- Insufficient daylight – Need at least 14 hours
- Malnutrition – Diets low in calcium or protein
- Illness, injury, or stress
- Brooding/nesting behaviors
- Molting season – No eggs laid for 4-6 weeks
Managing these factors allows most hens to sustain daily egg production during peak months. But individual variation means some birds never achieve a reliable daily lay rate.
How many eggs can a quail lay in a day?
A quail hen will only lay 1 egg per day. Occasionally, 2 eggs may be laid within a 24 hour period but this is not typical behavior. Quails have a fairly fixed 25 hour egg laying cycle that allows enough time for just 1 egg to form and be laid each day.
It is not physically possible for quails to lay more than 1 egg in a single day under natural conditions. Exceptions may occur in commercial operations using artificial hormonal stimulation but this is unhealthy for the birds.
What time of day do quails lay eggs?
Quails tend to lay their eggs earlier in the day, often within the first few hours after daylight. Exact egg laying times can vary between individual hens, but most quails will oviposit in the morning hours between:
- 7 am – 11 am
This pattern coincides with when quails are most active. Laying early in the day also reduces the risk of egg damage or predators stealing the egg before collection. Quail hens that hold their eggs past midday often indicate issues with the nest site.
Do quails lay eggs at night?
Quails rarely lay eggs at night. Their laying is synchronized with daylight hours. However, quails may occasionally delay egg laying longer than normal, especially if the nest boxes are disrupted during the day. This can result in a small percentage of eggs laid in the late afternoon or evening.
To encourage timely, morning egg laying:
- Collect eggs multiple times during the daylight hours
- Provide many enclosed nest box options
- Ensure nests offer privacy and low light
Avoiding nighttime egg laying promotes healthier bird routines overall.
Conclusion
In optimal conditions, quails can produce eggs nearly every day of the year. But egg counts will vary across breeds, seasons, age and individual hens. With excellent care, most backyard quails will average 5-6 eggs weekly at their peak. Understanding what influences laying patterns allows you to maximize productivity.