Pet Coturnix Quail plucking feathers

Great, I ordered the feed you linked to... $14.00 for the bag, $40 to ship Mr Quail is worth it all.

I hope this helps him. It may take time as this can become a very bad habit to break. You might also invest in some of that Hot Pic stuff to get him to stop picking at himself.

I would give the Cone of Shame another try. Or wrap something around him so he can't pick.

Here is where I ordered my suit from, http://www.flightquarters.com/bird-diapers/category/feather-protectors.html


Or try something like this? http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/does-your-chicken-need-a-sweater

ChrisandraO said:

Here is where I ordered my suit from, http://www.flightquarters.com/bird-diapers/category/feather-protectors.html

Or try something like this? http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/does-your-chicken-need-a-sweater

Click to expand...

Seems they all leave the wing feathers free. He chews them off to the shaft.

Prototype: 2.0 ... fallen and can't get up:











He hates it, and if falls over (a lot with this on) he can't get up. He needs his wings. Newer version will be lighter material. Robotic wings is in the planning stage.

They hate when things are tight around their bodies. I had to put a sweater on a chicken once that was really old and very cold. She hated it and kept falling over too. LOL So make sure this thing is loose on her. Watch she doesn't get tangled up in it however and falls into water or some place she could get hurt.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Cute quail! Sorry about his feather problem, that can be heart breaking to have a pet mutilate himself.

When does he tend to feather pick? Does he only do it when he's by himself, or even when he is with you?

Keeping him busy can help break the cycle. Wild birds have to forage to eat, they don't get a feeder full of food sitting in front of them. Offer him food or treats that he has to work for. Buy or grow your own meal worms but hide them in some way so he has to hunt for them, maybe in his cage substrate. Clip a kale leaf above his head so he has to stretch to peck at it. You can ferment his food part of the time to give him a change that is interesting, but fermenting also increases the protein content of the feed and is just different than dry. Try a few toys he might like to play with and rotate them with other toys every few days for a change. Put his cage where he can see out a window when you are not home to give him something to watch.

Try hanging a feather duster where he can play with it. Maybe that will give him enough of an outlet that he can regrow some feathers.

If you can get turkey starter at your local feed store that should give him enough protein. I'm hoping he will at least partially grow back some feathers just by the increased protein intake!