One of the main problems for quail breeders is eggs with soft shells or without them at all. There are many reasons, it is important to correctly identify them. The experience of experienced poultry farmers, an appeal to a competent specialized specialist will help. But sometimes the answer to the question "lies on the surface", and it is enough to analyze the conditions of detention, the diet.

Possible causes

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of why birds lay soft eggs. In quails , several factors can provoke such a symptom at once:

• age;
• conditions of detention;
• nutrition features;
• diseases.

It is impossible to take any measures until the causes are identified. It is necessary to first conduct a detailed analysis, identify the factor provoking the problem, and only then change something - diet, living conditions. If it is a disease, then it is important to choose the right treatment or think about replacing the herd.

Age

Early adulthood is inherent in quails at the genetic level. They are able to be carried as early as 30-35 days after birth. The first 2-3 clutches will consist of soft eggs, at least 50%. Gradually, the product will become normal, with a strong shell and high taste qualities.

The situation arises due to the fact that the body of laying hens is not yet fully formed. Despite the fact that the cause is natural, physiological, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate it. During this period of life, individuals need to create decent living and nutrition conditions – enrich the diet with minerals and vitamins, ensure optimal daylight hours and temperature conditions.

Contents

Quails do not need spacious aviaries. They have enough cages installed in a quiet place where there are no drafts, but there is a good ventilation system. The size of the "room" for 10 heads is 27 * 35 cm, with a ceiling height of no more than 20 cm. The floor of the cage should be with a slight slope, a tray is installed on the bottom side, where the eggs will roll.

Another key to success is cleanliness. The cells are washed at least 3 times a month, the litter should be removed regularly, not accumulate. Laying hens can peck it, it will get into the feathers, birds will eat poorly, which will affect the quality of products – the shell will become soft.

The optimal daylight duration is 18 hours. The day should start at 7:00 and end at 23:00. Often the reason for the decrease in the quality of the shell is that the light flow is too intense. In natural light, the windows are shaded, in artificial light, the lamps are chosen correctly. For a room of 16 sq. m. m one 40 watt lamp is enough.

Experienced quail breeders recommend giving preference to UV lamps – they simulate sunlight, prevent the development of rickets, which is often the main reason that quail eggs become soft.

Excessive lighting makes birds aggressive, they often fight, squabbles end with pulling out feathers. Eggs, even with a normal shell, are pecked during quarrels, and after a while the clutches disappear altogether, since laying hens cannot do their direct duty.

In addition, it is necessary to maintain optimal humidity and air temperature in the room so that all the nutrients from the feed are absorbed by the laying hens in full. The humidity norm is not more than 70%, the air temperature is not lower than 18 and not higher than 24 ? C.

Power supply

The first thing to do if quails have started laying soft eggs is to analyze and revise their diet. If the content is normal, the age is productive, then the birds have a disturbed metabolism.

The main element necessary for the formation of a hard shell is calcium. In addition to it, the diet must include vitamins E, B (12, 6,2), C. It is impossible to get the full amount of necessary additives only from cereals, vegetables, bran and cake. 20% of the daily allowance should be specialized premixes and natural supplements:

• seashell;
• crushed chalk or shell;
• salt, yeast;
• vegetable oils;
• meat and bone meal;
• minced meat;
• cottage cheese or whey, reverse.

Infectious bronchitis

This disease in quails leads not only to a decrease in egg production, but also to a violation of the egg formation process. The list of symptoms of infection with infectious bronchitis includes not only changes in the quality and color of the shell – it becomes soft and darker in color, heterogeneous, deformed – but also other signs:

• apathy, lack of mobility;
• digestive disorders, diarrhea;
• softening of the tissues of the claws, beak;
• lameness, swelling of the joints on the legs;
• deformity of the sternum.

If at least one egg with a thin shell is found, it is necessary to immediately inspect all laying hens. Everyone who has one or more of the listed symptoms is deposited not just in a separate cage, but in another shed. The disease spreads very quickly, the infected individual is a carrier for a long time – up to 2 months after full recovery.

Quails that have had infectious bronchitis at an early age will not become good laying hens. Experienced breeders and veterinarians do not recommend growing them for meat. As a rule, such birds are destroyed.

How to get good eggs from quails

The answer to the question of what to do to increase the productivity of laying hens and improve the quality of products is simple – choose a good breed and provide decent living conditions.

When choosing a breed, it is worth paying attention to productivity and the ability to resist diseases. Strong immunity is distinguished by English white and Japanese quails. In a year they lay at least 300 small, but tasty and healthy eggs with a fertilization rate of up to 95%.

But even the best breed will not give the declared productivity if the chicks were not properly cared for from the first days of life. It is impossible to allow a low content of nutrients in feed, rely only on ready-made mixtures. Future laying quails are necessarily given cottage cheese, fresh herbs and boiled vegetables. The aviaries and cages should not be exposed to direct sunlight, the lighting in the brooders should be muted.

It is better for novice poultry farmers to contact specialists when soft shells are found in the clutch, signs of poor health in individuals or the entire herd. The breeder should understand that the quality of quail eggs and the hardness of their shells depend on himself, on the degree of his responsibility, patience and diligence, and not only on the females.