Introducing new quails.

[Grottie1]

I have always had several female Japanese together. The numbers have gone down and today I lost another which leaves me with just a single. I would like to get another couple of girls to keep her company but, as she has lived in her pen for two years, I am worried she may be territorial and will fight with any newcomers. I had two female Chinese Quails and they almost killed each other when they were introduced. They now have to be kept in separate enclosures. I don't have any other pens big enough for Japanese quails. I know that Japanese always live in groups - any advice please?

 

[kingmt]

Not if you don't have another pen. It may work & it may not. She would probably prefer to have company but would probably be OK by herself.

Do you know what the other one died from? Is look into that before using the same pen anyhow.

My quail didn't live that long but they left life because I invited them to dinner. But I've read they live about 10 years.

 

[Grottie1]

The quail that I lost yesterday had a tumour - as she was quite an old bird, I didn't feel that surgery was the right thing to do. My vet specialises in birds, and he also advised me against it. The other girl is not happy alone - she hasn't eaten much and has stayed inside her pen all day so far. As she is always the first one out in the mornings, she is clearly not her usual self. My quails have always lived in female groups - everyone has indicated that they don't do well alone and the problem of having a single bird has never arisen until now.
Thanks for getting back to me. Just a note - my quails are pets and I could never in a million years "invite them to dinner" as you put it. They are as important to me as my other animals.

 

[kingmt]

All of my animals are important to me as well.

Doing well & not being lonely are two different things. Just like people most want to be with someone else but some don't mind being alone so she might adjust in a few days. I'd suggest at least making a makeshift cage even if it is just a tote to introduce them. Even if you were lonely you probably wouldn't be to accepting of someone just put into your house you'd never seen before.

 

[beckym100]

I am fairly new at having quails but I got two females and tried to introduce another two and it has caused real issues. If you are to do this I would definitely recommend having a separate pen to start with, but keep them so they can see each other and get use to each other for at least a week or two.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Buttons aren't for eating anyway. I would get her another friend but introduce them slowly. A slightly smaller quail may seem less of a threat to her...

 

[kingmt]

Or easy pray.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

That is true, but from what you said it seems as if this quail never had any aggression issues.

 

[Grottie1]

She is a sweet girl - Japanese/Italian hybrid,so she is quite small anyway.She is calling constantly for her lost friend -it's so sad listening to her. I will have a word with the place that I get my quails from to see if they will take the newcomer back if any problem arises. Thank you for all your comments.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Good luck! Keep us posted!