Techniques for raising female quails during egg laying period

To achieve high productivity, during the egg-laying period, it is necessary to provide the birds with adequate and balanced nutrients. In addition to protein, metabolic energy, lysine, methionine, etc., it is also necessary to pay attention to calcium and phosphorus, because these two elements have a great influence on the quality of the eggshell and the body's skeleton. The calcium concentration for egg-laying birds must reach 2.5-3.5%, easily digestible phosphorus is 0.5-0.6%.

It should be noted that the nutritional requirements given in this article are guidelines and for reference only, and should be modified to suit the specific conditions of each production facility, bird breed, season, barn microclimate and flock productivity.... Technical staff must rely on their knowledge of poultry nutrition to apply it in the most flexible and effective way.


When changing from pullet food to laying bird food, the change should be gradual, as should the change from chick food to pullet food.

Feeding techniques

The amount of food provided to laying hens daily depends on the laying rate. It is necessary to base on the laying rate to feed appropriately. The hens lay eggs according to the rule, starting to lay eggs at the 11th week of age, by the 15th-16th week, the birds lay a lot, 95-98%, maintained for about 7-8 weeks and then gradually decrease.

- From the time of calving until the birth rate reaches its peak

When the flock starts laying, the laying rate can increase very quickly or very slowly depending on the uniformity of the flock and other conditions (temperature, humidity, lighting, rearing techniques in the rearing stage, etc.). There are many different measures to increase the amount of food during this period.

+ The first way is based on the increase in birth rate.

If the daily laying rate increases above 3%, the bird should be fed the highest amount of food when the laying rate reaches 35%;

If the laying rate increases by 2-3%, feed the birds the highest amount of food when the laying rate reaches 45%;

If the laying rate increases by 1-2%, feed the birds the highest amount of food when the laying rate reaches 55%; If the laying rate increases by less than 1%, feed the birds the highest amount of food when the laying rate reaches 65-75%.

+ The second way is based on the uniformity of the flock at 9 weeks of age.

The uniformity of the flock is determined by the formula: Uniformity =(n/N)100

In which, n is the number of birds whose mass is within the average mass of the flock ± 10%; N is the total flock of birds

If the coefficient of variation (Cv%) of the flock is <8%, after the laying rate reaches 5%, increase the amount of food by 15-20%; after the laying rate reaches 20%, increase by another 5%; after the laying rate reaches 30%, increase by another 5%, and after the laying rate reaches 50%, feed the maximum amount of food.

If Cv% = 9-12%, after the laying rate reaches 10%, increase the amount of feed by 15-20%; after the laying rate reaches 20%, increase by 5%; after the laying rate reaches 30%, increase by 5% again, and after the laying rate reaches 50%, feed the maximum amount of feed.

If Cv% >12%, after the laying rate reaches 15%, increase the amount of feed by 15-20%; after the laying rate reaches 25%, increase by 5%; after the laying rate reaches 35%, increase by 5% again, and after the laying rate reaches 50%, feed the maximum amount of feed.

Quail catching should be limited, because they are very shy and panic, and are severely stressed when caught.

- After the flock reaches its peak egg-laying rate

When the laying rate of the flock increases to a certain height, stops there for a few days (about 7-10 days) without increasing or decreasing any further, then the laying rate of the flock has reached its peak. At this time, if the daily food intake is not reduced, the flock will have excess energy, accumulate fat and become too fat, the laying rate will decrease rapidly, and the eggs will be small.

Depending on actual conditions such as weather, climate, egg mass, reduction in laying rate, health of the flock and stress factors... reduce the daily food intake of each laying hen by 0.5-1g, but only by 10% and must be reduced gradually. For example, when the bird eats the most (when laying 98-99%) is 28g/bird/day, then the maximum reduction is 10% x 28g = 2.8g, which means feeding a minimum of 28-2.8 = 25.2g/bird/day.

Need to add gravel for laying birds, gravel diameter 1-2mm. Each bird cage should have a gravel trough outside for birds to eat freely.

During feeding, it is necessary to pay attention to the climate conditions to adjust the energy level of the diet appropriately, the most important is the temperature of the barn. When the temperature of the barn is higher than 20 degrees Celsius, if it increases by 1 degree Celsius, it will reduce about 0.4 kcal of energy for a bird, and if it decreases by 1 degree Celsius, it will increase by 0.6 kcal.

Time of exploitation of female birds: can be allowed to lay eggs for up to 60 weeks, after which the laying rate decreases. The time of termination is earlier or later depending on the laying rate and the price of eggs on the market.

Feeding trough

Use a feeder that is nearly as long as the cage, each feeder can accommodate 25-30 birds.

Drinking water

For laying hens, in addition to the general influencing factors, water needs depend on the egg-laying rate. The higher the egg-laying rate, the higher the water intake, up to 40-70 g of water/bird/day. Knowing this need to provide enough clean water for birds is an important task.

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