When Do Coturnix Quail Start Laying Eggs (and How to Tell They’re Close)
If you’re raising Coturnix quail for eggs (or about to start) you’re probably checking the pens every day, hoping to spot that first tiny speckled egg. I’ve been there. That wait feels long, doesn’t it? Unlike chickens, quail don’t build nests or cluck proudly when they lay. They just… quietly get to work.
You can usually tell when your hens are getting close, once you know what to look for. It’s one of those things that clicks after you’ve seen it a few times. After raising quail through every season (and a few less-than-ideal experiments) I’ve learned how to read the signs and help them find their rhythm.
Here’s how I tell when my Coturnix quail are about to start laying and what helps them get there faster.
Quick Answer: When Do Coturnix Quail Start Laying Eggs?
Most Coturnix quail begin laying around 6 to 8 weeks of age, depending on their environment, feed, and lighting. A few early bloomers might lay as soon as 5½ weeks, while others might take closer to 10 or even 12 weeks if conditions aren’t great. Good feed, steady light, and low stress are the big three that get your hens laying right when they should. If your quail hit that window and still haven’t started, there’s usually an easy fix.
What to Watch for as Your Quail Mature
When you’ve raised enough coveys, you start to see patterns. Quail don’t make a big show of it, but there are small signs that tell you they’re almost ready.
Their Shape and Posture Change
Around six weeks, hens lose that awkward “teenage” look and start to fill out. I always laugh at how fast it happens. It’s like overnight they go from scruffy little chicks to proper hens. Their bodies fill out—rounder through the chest and a little more solid all around. The feathers smooth out, and you’ll notice they stand a little lower and wider.
When I see that shift, I know we’re close. I usually start checking pens a couple of times a day, just in case.
Watch for the Tail-Lifting Reflex
This one’s subtle but surprisingly reliable. Some hens will reflexively lift their tails when you pick them up or touch their backs. Not all hens do it, but when they do, it’s often just a few days before that first egg appears.
Extra Male Attention
If you’re keeping cocks and hens together, watch how the males behave. You’ll see them start showing a lot more interest: chasing, calling, or attempting to mate. That change in male behavior often lines up almost perfectly with the hens’ readiness to lay.
What Can Delay (or Speed Up) Egg Laying
Even if your birds reach the right age, outside conditions can nudge that timing earlier or later. A few things can make or break that timing.
Lighting Makes or Breaks It
Coturnix quail need about 14–16 hours of light a day to start laying (and to keep at it). When daylight starts dropping off, I plug in a simple bulb to keep things steady. I use a cheap plug-in timer, nothing fancy. I’ve found that adding light a week or two before they usually start laying helps things stay on track. If they’re eight weeks in and you haven’t seen an egg yet, check the light first.
If you’re raising quail through fall or winter, check out my post on how seasonal light changes affect laying. It’ll walk you through how to keep them producing.
Good Feed Makes All the Difference
Feed’s another big one, and honestly, it’s where I see most new keepers trip up. Too little protein (or a lack of calcium) can delay egg development or lead to weak shells once laying begins. I usually switch to a layer or game bird feed (17–22% protein) about a week before I expect that first egg to show up. I also keep crushed oyster shell or limestone grit available free-choice.
If you’re wondering what makes the biggest difference, it’s the quality of the protein every time. If you’re curious, I broke down exactly why protein levels matter so much when they’re gearing up to lay.
Stress Delays Everything
Quail are sensitive little things. Too many birds in a small space, barking dogs, or even me checking on them too often can throw them off. Keep things calm and predictable, especially around that six-week mark. A quiet covey is usually a productive one.
How to Help Your Hens Get Off to a Strong Start
Once they’re almost ready, a few small tweaks help things go a lot smoother. Here’s what I do before that first egg shows up:
- Use a light timer to maintain a consistent 14–16 hour cycle.
- Switch feed gradually to a layer feed before the first eggs arrive.
- Offer extra calcium (like oyster shell) free-choice.
- Keep stress low. Avoid moving birds or changing their pen setup suddenly.
Those early eggs might be tiny or oddly shaped. Sometimes they’ll be yolkless, or the shells will feel thin. Don’t worry, it’s totally normal. Within a few weeks, their systems settle, and production evens out.
What the First Eggs Tell You
That first egg always feels like a little victory. I still get excited, even after years of collecting them. But those first few weeks tell you a lot about how healthy your hens are and whether their space is really dialed in.
If your first eggs are:
- Tiny or irregular: perfectly normal for a new layer.
- Soft-shelled or thin: increase dietary calcium or check light consistency.
- Inconsistent (skipping days): give them time; regular cycles develop within a month.
I like to weigh the first dozen eggs on a small kitchen scale. It’s an easy way to see how your hens are settling into their routine. First eggs can be tiny (8 or 9 grams). Once they hit their rhythm, most settle between 13 and 16.
Why Your Quail Still Haven’t Laid (and What to Check First)
If you’ve hit 9 or 10 weeks and still no eggs, don’t panic. Here’s what I run through when that happens:
- Light: Are they getting at least 14 hours?
- Feed: Is it 17–22% protein with calcium available?
- Stress: Any loud noises, predators, or crowding?
- Temperature: Chilly nights can slow things down, especially if they’re still maturing.
Nine times out of ten, the fix is simple. I’ve had hens wait until week ten and then lay every day without missing a beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These are the ones I hear most when folks are waiting (sometimes impatiently) on those first eggs.
You’ll start seeing it in how they carry themselves. Fuller shape, tail-lifting, maybe a cock or two paying extra attention. That’s your cue they’re getting close.
Nope! Hens lay perfectly well without a cock present. The eggs just won’t be fertile.
It sure can. Short days and chilly temps slow things down. A little extra light and a draft-free spot usually do the trick.
Absolutely. For the first couple of weeks, laying can be inconsistent while their bodies regulate. You’ll see a steady pattern form after that.
It happens. Double-check the basics: light, feed, stress. If all that looks right, just give them time. I’ve had a few stubborn hens take their sweet time and still turn into reliable layers.
There’s no exact calendar date for when your Coturnix quail will start laying, but once you learn the patterns, you’ll see it coming a mile away. Give them good light, solid feed, and a peaceful setup and they’ll get there. When that first egg shows up, it’s hard not to grin. Honestly, it never stops feeling like a win.
And if you’re still deciding how many birds to start with, you’ll want to check out my guide on how many Coturnix quail to start with next. It’ll help you figure out what setup actually fits your space, your goals, and your sanity.
