Why Aren’t My Quail Laying Eggs? 5 Common Causes and Fixes
When your Coturnix quail suddenly stop laying eggs, it can be frustrating—especially if you’re asking yourself, “Why aren’t my quail laying eggs anymore?” I’ve been there myself, and the good news is that in most cases, it’s fixable.
Quail are sensitive to shifts in their environment, nutrition, and routine. If you’ve been wondering, “why aren’t my quail laying eggs,” the answer usually lies in one of those categories. From shorter daylight hours to seasonal molts or even stress, there are a handful of common reasons your birds might hit pause on egg production. The key is knowing what to look for and how to respond.
Before we dive in, if you’re wondering what kind of egg production is typical for Coturnix quail, I’ve broken it down for you here. If you’re trying to boost egg production over time, there are some simple adjustments you can make that really help.
Not Enough Light
The most common reason for a sudden drop in egg production is lighting. Even subtle seasonal shifts in daylight can throw your covey off track if you’re not anticipating them. Quail need 14–16 hours of light per day to lay consistently. In fall and winter, the natural light just isn’t enough.
What to do: I use LED rope lights on timers to extend daylight hours in my pens. Just be sure they still get a dark period overnight—quail need rest, too. When my birds stopped laying that first fall, I realized pretty quickly that light was the issue. Once I set up a simple timer, they were back to laying within a few days.
Molting Season
Molting is a natural process where quail shed old feathers and grow new ones. Want to know what to expect and how long it usually lasts? I’ve laid that out for you here. While molting, their energy shifts from laying to feather regrowth—and egg production usually stops temporarily.
What to do: You can’t prevent molting, but you can support your quail through it. I boost their feed to at least 20–24% protein to help them recover faster. Most birds bounce back and start laying again in a few weeks.
Nutrition Imbalance
If your birds aren’t getting the right nutrients—especially protein and calcium—they may stop laying altogether. Coturnix need a feed with 18–20% protein and plenty of calcium for shell development.
What to do: Make sure you’re using a high-quality layer feed and offer oyster shell on the side. I’ve also had success supplementing with mealworms or scrambled eggs for an extra protein bump.
Want the full breakdown of what I feed and why? Check out my complete quail feeding guide. And if you’re wondering why protein matters so much, I’ve written more about that here.
Stress in the Environment
Quail are easily stressed, and stress is a big reason for dropped egg production. Anything from overcrowding to loud noises to predator pressure can set them off.
What to do: Make sure you’re giving your quail enough space in your pen or aviary, keep the environment clean and calm, and double-check that your pen is predator-proof. Even something like a neighborhood dog barking too close can cause problems.
Health Issues or Age
If lighting, nutrition, and stress all check out, consider your quail’s age or health. Quail are most productive in their first year. After that, they still lay—but not as reliably.
What to do: Keep an eye out for signs of illness (like lethargy, loss of appetite, or messy droppings), and consider rotating out older hens if consistent production is your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. They usually start again once their new feathers come in.
They’re most productive in their first year, with gradual decline after 12–18 months.
Yes. Even a pen move or adding new birds can stress them enough to pause laying. Give them time to settle.
When you find yourself asking, “Why aren’t my quail laying eggs?”—chances are, they’re trying to tell you something’s off. Most of the time, it comes down to light, diet, or stress. And once you fix the issue, egg production usually bounces back.
It’s all part of the learning curve—one I’ve been on for over a decade. Stick with it, observe your covey closely, and don’t be afraid to make small adjustments. Your birds will tell you what they need if you’re paying attention.
