Hi,
I have a ~4 week old quail that I've raised from an egg and was the only survivor of its clutch, being raised inside my home. When it's old enough it will go outside, but in the meantime lives inside a bunny hutch in my spare room.
I was wondering, how likely is it that quail have the capacity to bond? I've heard chickens and ducks do, and I feel that I have with Peeps.
When I go to clean his/her cage, I let it out to wander and explore. Then I pick him/her up and cuddle for a few minutes. I feel that he's content because he doesn't squirm or try to get away, and makes a soft cooing/trilling noise. Does anyone else think this may be contentment? Are they capable of bonding like that? My other quail outside I bought at 6 weeks old and they are very skittish. I've been handling this guy since day one and making a point to interact positively and slowly.
Sorry for the long (and possibly sappy) post, I was just wondering if I'm imagining the bird-human connection or if it's real and I can do the same with my more recent clutch of five who are about 7 days old now.
Thanks!
I have a ~4 week old quail that I've raised from an egg and was the only survivor of its clutch, being raised inside my home. When it's old enough it will go outside, but in the meantime lives inside a bunny hutch in my spare room.
I was wondering, how likely is it that quail have the capacity to bond? I've heard chickens and ducks do, and I feel that I have with Peeps.
When I go to clean his/her cage, I let it out to wander and explore. Then I pick him/her up and cuddle for a few minutes. I feel that he's content because he doesn't squirm or try to get away, and makes a soft cooing/trilling noise. Does anyone else think this may be contentment? Are they capable of bonding like that? My other quail outside I bought at 6 weeks old and they are very skittish. I've been handling this guy since day one and making a point to interact positively and slowly.
Sorry for the long (and possibly sappy) post, I was just wondering if I'm imagining the bird-human connection or if it's real and I can do the same with my more recent clutch of five who are about 7 days old now.
Thanks!