another male/female ratio question

[randyMT]

I am trying to get maximum egg production out of Coturnix quail.  I have a 12' by 12' pen, and I'd like to have about 50-75 females.  They will be free in the pen, so how many males would be appropriate for that many females to get maximum fertility?  I may eventually go to individual cages for the breeding birds, but for now I have to have them free in the pen.  Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
Randy

[RedOakGamebirds]

For your ratio you can manage good fertility with 25-30 males.  We have a 1/2.5 ratio for our Coturnix and we hatch out currently at 94 percent here at our location.  I'm sure you could pair them 1/2 or 1/3 but we get excellent quality and fertility by colony breeding alone.  Our pens are 12'x4' for the Coturnix.



Larry