hens with bald backs

[steve30947]

in the past week my bobwhite have started laying, i have got about 20 eggs from about 7 hens. and in the past 3 or so days they haven't laid anything. also they are going bald on there backs right above there tail. is this normal about there laying and the bald spots. i have 1 male to 1 female. they are about 6mths old and i have them all in 1 pen 10' x4'.
   
        thanks for your time

[quailer370]

hallo steve,

their backs are bald because the males are being very aggressive lovers.  a one-to-one ratio of quail in one big pen will bring about this kind of behavior.  there needs to be at least two, preferably three, hens to one male.  so you could either add some hens or get rid of some males.  also putting some brush or leafy branches in the cage gives the females a place to hide if it gets too rough.  how many quail do you have altogether? overcrowding might also be an issue.

as for the laying, the hens will naturally go into a laying decline as winter approaches, or if there is not enough light.

hope this helps!

-quailer370