How Big Are Quail Eggs? Size, Weight + Why It Varies
When people ask how big quail eggs are, they’re usually talking about Coturnix quail, since that’s the most common type kept for eggs. Yes, they’re smaller than chicken eggs. But you’ll still see a surprising range in size. I pay attention to egg size because it usually reflects what’s happening behind the scenes.
Some egg size stuff is normal. Some isn’t. And some of it you can absolutely influence.
How Much Does a Quail Egg Weigh?
On average, Coturnix quail eggs weigh between 10 and 15 grams. Once they’ve been laying a bit, you’ll usually start seeing the same size over and over. You’ll see variation between birds (even in the same covey) and that’s completely normal. If you’re not sure whether your hens are even ready to start laying, here’s a quick guide on when Coturnix quail typically start laying eggs and what signs to look for.
If you’ve raised chickens, the variation is similar. Some hens lay smaller eggs consistently, while others produce noticeably larger ones. The same applies to quail. With Coturnix, you can actually move the needle over time if you breed with intention.
What Factors Affect Coturnix Quail Egg Size?
If eggs are consistently small or weird, there’s usually more than one factor involved.
Age of the Hen
Young hens, or pullets, often start off laying smaller eggs. This is completely normal. It usually takes about 4–6 weeks of regular laying for egg size and shape to stop being all over the place. During that time, eggs may be smaller, oddly shaped, or even contain double yolks. After that adjustment period, egg size typically stabilizes.
Individual Genetics
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings I run into. Just because a bird is labeled “jumbo” doesn’t mean her eggs will be huge. “Jumbo” Coturnix are bred for body size and meat production… not necessarily for egg size.
If larger eggs are your goal, the best thing you can do is selectively hatch from your biggest, best-shaped eggs, especially those laid by mature hens. Stick with that approach long enough and you’ll start seeing larger eggs more consistently. This is what I do in my breeding program. If a hen lays strong-shelled, 14-gram eggs consistently, and her temperament and health are solid, she’s a candidate for passing those traits on.
Nutrition
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: feed matters. Low-protein diets, imbalanced calcium, or poor-quality feed can absolutely shrink your egg size.
Most people end up using one of two feeding approaches for layers: a game bird feed with added calcium, or a 17–20% protein layer feed. Either crumble or pellet works just fine. Whatever your birds prefer and waste less. Around here, we feed a layer crumble as the base, then boost protein with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), a powdered protein supplement, and high-protein treats a couple times a week during molting. If your quail are foraging or getting a lot of fresh greens, that added protein makes a real difference in keeping egg size and shell quality consistent.
If you’re dialing in your birds’ nutrition, especially to support egg production, this breakdown on the importance of protein in Coturnix quail diets will help you see if feed is part of the problem. Egg size is just one of the signs of poor nutrition. You may also see decreased production, thinner shells, or a drop in fertility if you’re hatching.
Stress and Environment
Coturnix quail are surprisingly tough, but they’re still prey animals. That means chronic stress, like loud noises, overcrowding, predators nearby, or unstable lighting, can interfere with both egg production and quality. When hens are stressed, they may lay smaller, misshapen, or soft-shelled eggs. If your covey used to lay larger eggs and you’re seeing a sudden drop in size or shell quality, start by checking environmental stressors.
Once your covey is settled and fed well, the next step is consistency. If that’s your goal, here’s how to encourage consistent egg laying in Coturnix quail.
Do Jumbo Coturnix Lay Bigger Eggs?
This is a question I hear a lot: “Will jumbo quail lay bigger eggs?” The answer is… sometimes.
While jumbos do tend to lay slightly heavier eggs, the difference isn’t as dramatic as most people expect. You might see a 1–2 gram increase on average, but again, it all comes down to genetics and selection.
If you’re raising jumbos but hatching randomly from any egg you collect, there’s no guarantee the chicks will grow into birds that lay larger eggs. If you want both meat birds and reliable egg size, you’ll need to select breeders who excel at both. That’s what I focus on when I’m choosing breeders.
Buying jumbos helps sometimes. Breeding intentionally helps a lot more.
What About Double-Yolked Eggs?
Double-yolked eggs from Coturnix are rare, but they do happen, usually in younger hens whose laying cycle hasn’t fully regulated.
While they’re fun to find (and delicious scrambled), double-yolked eggs should never be incubated. The chances of two embryos developing and surviving to hatch are extremely low, and in most cases, neither chick survives. These are best enjoyed in the kitchen.
When to Worry About Egg Size
Now and then, a quail will lay an egg that’s unusually small, soft, or oddly shaped. That’s not necessarily a problem. But if it keeps happening, it’s worth investigating. Small eggs beyond the pullet phase often point to:
- Nutritional deficiencies, especially low protein or calcium
- Overcrowding, which can lead to competition for feed or stress
- Chronic stress or hormonal imbalance
- Health issues such as parasites or internal inflammation
Soft or thin shells can also mean that your hen’s calcium reserves are depleted, which is common in high-producing layers without proper supplementation. Make sure you’re offering free-choice calcium and keeping stress levels low.
Egg Binding and Egg Size
Egg size can sometimes play a role in egg binding, especially when a hen is young, stressed, or nutritionally depleted. Larger-than-normal eggs, soft shells, or inconsistent shell quality can all increase the risk. This is one of the reasons I pay attention to egg size trends, not just individual eggs. A sudden jump in size, paired with low calcium intake or stress, can put real strain on a hen’s body.
If you’re seeing lethargy, straining, or a hen that looks uncomfortable and isn’t laying, don’t assume it’ll fix itself. Egg binding can become serious quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the quick answers to the questions I hear all the time.
It’s best to wait until a hen has been laying consistently for 2–4 weeks. Early eggs are often small, misshapen, or less fertile, which lowers hatch success. Once your hens are laying regularly and the egg quality is solid, you can learn how to test if your quail eggs are fertile before setting them.
Thin shells are still firm but more fragile. Soft-shelled eggs feel rubbery and often break easily. Soft shells usually indicate a calcium issue or high stress. I always keep a container of crushed oyster shell like this one available in a separate dish. It makes a huge difference, especially with high-producing layers.
Keep treats small and occasional. In my setup, I offer BSFL and other protein boosters no more than twice a week to avoid diluting the balanced feed.
Absolutely. A simple kitchen scale (ideally one that measures grams) and a tracking log let you monitor each hen’s output and selectively hatch from your top layers over time. I use the FlockStar App to track eggs, hatches, and individual birds.
If egg size shifts, it’s usually tied to feed, housing, or breeding choices. If you want larger, more consistent eggs, there’s no shortcut. Feed well. Reduce stress. Pay attention. And if breeding matters to you, track what your best hens are doing and build from there.
Track what you’re getting, hatch from the best, and keep the basics solid. That’s what makes the difference over time.
