It’s not uncommon for people to wonder if quail hens go broody. Even many seasoned quail owners don’t believe it to be possible.

However, if a quail hen is given the proper setup, they will go broody. The best way to get a quail hen to sit on her eggs is to give her a comfortable area that she can make a nest in and not be disturbed by the other quail.

And since brooding has been mostly bred out of domestic quail it’s best to put them in a secluded area to encourage them to stay put.

If you want to see more details on how exactly to get a quail hen to sit and hatch her own eggs read on.

Domestic Quail Do Go Broody

Domestic quail hens have been selectively bred over generations for traits that prioritize high egg production and fast growth. As a result, the instinct to go broody and incubate eggs has been greatly diminished in many types of domestic quail.

This means that a significant portion of domestic quail hens don’t exhibit broody behavior and are more likely to lay eggs consistently without showing interest in incubation.

While some individual domestic quail hens may still show broody behavior sporadically, it’s not as common as in birds such as chickens.

When quail hens do go broody, they might not be as reliable at successfully incubating and hatching eggs as their wild counterparts or other more broody-oriented birds.

Another contributing factor is that many quail owners raise their quail on wire bottom cages. This type of environment discourages hens from sitting on their eggs in an attempt to keep up their daily contributions.

Another possible reason for quail not going broody is they may not be able to get completely comfortable.

Many quail instructors will tell newbies that they don’t need nesting boxes or any other accommodations for their quail.

While this may be true due to the fact that quail will lay an egg anywhere, if you want them to sit on their eggs you do need to provide them with a nesting area.

Why Quail Won’t Sit on Their Eggs

Several factors could contribute to your quail not showing broody behavior and refusing to sit on their eggs. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Selective Breeding: Domestic quail have been bred for egg production and growth rather than broodiness. This selective breeding has diminished the natural brooding instincts in many domestic quail breeds.
2. Environmental Factors: Quail require a comfortable and secure nesting area to feel safe enough to go broody. If the nesting area is not suitable or they feel threatened by their surroundings, they may not show interest in incubating their eggs.
3. Nesting Material: Quail need proper nesting materials to build a comfortable nest. If suitable materials like straw, hay, or soft bedding are not provided, they might not be motivated to sit on their eggs.
4. Disturbances: Quail are sensitive to disturbances. If they are frequently disrupted by human activity, other animals, or loud noises, they may be hesitant to stay on their eggs.
5. Lighting: Light plays a role in triggering broodiness. If your quail are exposed to constant or extended periods of light, it can suppress their natural instinct to go broody.
6. Nutrition and Health: Quail that are not in optimal health or are lacking in certain nutrients might not exhibit broody behavior. Ensuring their nutritional needs are met and that they are in good health is essential.
7. Age: Young quail might not show broody behavior as they are still maturing and may not have developed the full range of instincts.
8. Social Dynamics: If the quail are kept in a group, the social hierarchy within the group can influence their behavior. Dominant birds might dissuade others from nesting.
9. Lack of a Rooster: While quail don’t require a rooster to lay eggs, the presence of a rooster can sometimes stimulate broodiness in hens.

In my aviary the quail that go broody the most are my Italians. It’s harder to convince them to stay off the eggs than to get them to try and go broody. For some reason, these little ladies LOVE to sit on eggs.

However, I haven’t managed to get them to stay on them for longer than seven days.

How to Tell if a Quail Hen is Broody

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if a quail hen is starting to brood eggs or simply likes to sit on a large pile she collected. Here are some signs to help you tell if she’s getting ready to incubate or simply being a hoarder:

1. Nesting Behavior: A broody quail hen will spend a significant amount of time in the nesting area, arranging (throwing around) nesting materials, and making a comfortable nest for herself on the eggs. Its incredibly adorable to watch her roll eggs under herself and tuck them in tight.
2. Egg Collecting: Broody hens tend to collect eggs from the surroundings and place them under their bodies in the nest. They might even try to steal eggs from other hens.
3. Feather Puffing: When a quail hen is broody, she will puff up her feathers to create a cozy space for her eggs. This behavior helps her provide optimal warmth and protect the eggs.
4. Protective Attitude: Broody hens become protective of their nests and might be aggressive with other quail that approach their nesting area. They aren’t shy about pecking your hands either.
5. Sitting Tight: A broody quail hen will sit tightly on her nest, rarely leaving it except for short periods to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom. She may also run off when you come near. Many quail are quite flighty.
6. Plucked Belly: To maximize contact with the eggs, broody hens often pluck feathers from their bellies. This skin-to-egg contact helps maintain the eggs’ temperature more effectively.
7. Vocalization: Some broody hens might growl at you while on the nest. (Check out this Tiktok video to hear what I mean.) This is a maternal behavior to communicate with potential chicks.
8. Refusal to Leave Nest: Broody hens will be reluctance to leave the nest, even if you try to gently coax them away.

Section Off a Brooder Area

If you don’t separate a broody quail hen from the rest of the flock, she’ll collect every single one she can get her greedy little beak on.

I’ve seen one quail hen try to sit on over 25 eggs. Rather unsuccessfully I may add. If you’re extra lucky more than one hen will attempt to sit on a clutch of eggs.

To keep them from collecting more eggs than they can properly incubate I’d recommend sectioning off an area around their nest. This will also prevent other quails from laying eggs where they’re nesting.

If you section off an area, make sure they have ample room to get up and move around. The hen will also need to have her own food and water source. Make sure to provide proper ventilation, and to encourage her to stay on the eggs, don’t keep supplemental lighting on her.