Coturnix Quail Egg Size: What’s Normal & How to Improve It
If you’re raising Coturnix quail—or thinking about it—egg size is one of those things people tend to notice right away. They’re smaller than chicken eggs, sure, but not all quail eggs are created equal. The truth is, egg size can tell you a lot about your birds’ genetics, nutrition, and overall condition.
Let’s break down what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can actually influence when it comes to Coturnix quail egg size.
What’s the Average Size of a Coturnix Quail Egg?
On average, Coturnix quail eggs weigh between 10 and 15 grams. Most hens settle into a pretty steady size once they’ve been laying for a few weeks. 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. But here’s the key difference: with Coturnix, even small adjustments in care or breeding can noticeably shift the average egg size over time.
What Factors Affect Coturnix Quail Egg Size?
There isn’t one magic fix for small or inconsistent eggs. Instead, it’s a combination of influences. Each plays a part in how your hens develop and perform.
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 the reproductive system to hit its stride. 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 where I see a lot of confusion. 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. Over time, this kind of selection leads to a line of hens that consistently produce larger eggs—even if their bodies aren’t classified as jumbo.
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. That kind of consistency matters more than a one-time double-yolker.
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.
For layers, you’ve got two solid options: a 20–22% protein game bird feed with added calcium, or a 17–18% protein layer feed with extra protein supplementation. 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. 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 make smarter feed decisions.
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. Secure your housing, reduce noise, and make sure your birds have enough space and hiding spots.
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.
Jumbo vs. Standard Coturnix: Busting the Egg Size Myth
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 the kind of line-building I focus on in my own hatchery.
So, no—just buying jumbos won’t give you jumbo eggs. But carefully selecting and tracking your layers? That will.
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.
If the problem is isolated to one bird, she may have an underlying reproductive issue. But if multiple hens are laying poor-quality eggs, it’s almost always environmental or nutritional—and fixable. This post on nutritional deficiencies in Coturnix quail walks through symptoms and how to correct them.
FAQs About Coturnix Quail Egg Size
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 on my phone to not only track eggs, but also our hatches and birds.
Egg size isn’t just about appearance or bragging rights. It’s one of the easiest ways to monitor the health and consistency of your covey. If you feed well, breed intentionally, and minimize stress, your hens will settle into a productive rhythm—and their egg size will reflect that.
Want bigger eggs? Don’t buy into hype. Build toward them with solid breeding and good care.
