INTRO

So, you got quail.
You were promised eggs.
Cute little speckled miracles from birds that take up less space than your cat.
You built the coop, you bought the fancy feeder, maybe you even named them.
And now… nothing. No eggs. Nada.
Or worse—your birds were laying, and suddenly went on strike like disgruntled employees.

You’re not crazy. You’re not a bad quail mom.
You just weren’t told the full story.

Welcome to the guide I wish I had. This is what no one tells you until you’re knee-deep in pine shavings, googling “can stress make quail infertile” at 2am.

 1. They’re Too Young

Coturnix quail usually start laying at 6–8 weeks old—but some take up to 10 weeks depending on the strain, light, and feed.
Don’t panic if your birds are 7 weeks old and just looking at you like you owe them rent. It’s coming.

What to do:
Wait it out a little longer. Make sure they’re getting enough protein (20–24%), clean water, and a calm environment. If they’re over 10 weeks and still nothing? Keep reading.

2. Not Enough Light

Quail need 14–16 hours of light per day to lay. Without it, their bodies switch into “winter mode” and shut down the egg factory.

What no one tells you:
You can do everything right—perfect feed, perfect coop—but if it’s fall or winter and they don’t have a light on a timer, they will look you in the face and do absolutely nothing productive.

Fix it fast:
Add a soft white bulb on a timer. Don’t leave it on 24/7—that’ll mess up their cycle. Just top them up to 14–16 hours of total light per day.

3. Poor Nutrition

This one hurts. Because I know you’re trying.
But if your quail are eating scratch grains, expired feed, or 16% chicken crumble—girl, they are starving for nutrients and you don’t even know it.
They need high-protein feed (ideally 20–24%) with calcium for eggshells and enough fat for energy.

Bonus chaos tip:
Put out oyster shell free-choice. Don’t mix it into the feed. They’ll take what they need like tiny egg-laying sorcerers.

4. Stress, Drama, or Bullies

Quail are sensitive little drama queens. Any sudden change can make them stop laying:

• You moved them

• You changed bedding

• A dog barked too loud

• One bird keeps chasing the others like she’s auditioning for Real Housewives of the Aviary

Solutions:

• Give them a few days to adjust

• Separate the bully (trust me—there’s always one)

• Add hiding spots or cover in the pen

• Don’t hover over them or rearrange their entire lives every 3 days

 5. They’re Old or Worn Out

If your quail are over a year and a half, their production naturally slows. If they’ve laid for months straight without a break, their bodies may need recovery time—especially if they weren’t given the best feed or light during that time.

What to do:

• Expect a slowdown after 12–18 months

• Let older hens rest or rotate in new layers

• Don’t cull immediately—sometimes a rest + better light = bounce-back

6. Health Issues or Worms

If they’re not acting right, check for:

• Sudden weight loss

• Diarrhea or weird poop

• Lethargy

• Ragged feathers

Could be worms, mites, or another issue. Sick birds don’t lay eggs.

Fix it:
Use natural dewormers (like pumpkin seeds, garlic water, or Oregano oil) or a stronger treatment if needed. Clean the coop, change bedding, and boost nutrition.

7. Weather Whiplash

Cold snaps, heat waves, sudden humidity changes—all of it can throw them off.

Pro tip:
Quail do better with consistency. Keep drafts off them in winter, offer frozen bottles or ceramic tiles in summer, and avoid moving them during extreme weather changes if you can.