a little quail help please

[Shaman777]

Greetings all, first post here...

I have just adopted 11 quail; 10 cortunix and one button. I'm not sure what the ratio is exactly, but I think I have more males than females, and they are in an enclosure that is too small... I'll be giving them more room very soon. There is some heavy feather picking going on. All of my females are bald on the back of the neck, and a few of the males are missing a few feathers, but not as bad as the females. Is this due to mating ritual? I've noticed when the males mount the females they clamp down on their back-neck feathers.
Due to the ratio of males to females, I'm thinking of putting the males in their own enclosure to give the females some time to recover. What I'm wondering is, will the males behave themselves without their "lovetoys" around?
Also, are the males called roosters and the females called hens?
Thanks!

 

[Birdlife99]

Hi
One of my female quails had a bald head, when I started watching more closely, I noticed that one of my male quails was not intentionally pecking her, but was the cause. When they were mating he was holding on to the feathers on top of her head and pulling them out when she moved. I hope this helps

 

[Fat Daddy]

Yes the males are Roos and females hens.... Coturnix Roos are worst than a teen age boy! they will mount your hand if give'n the chance and no hen is around.... Little pirates they are, nuthin "gentle" about'em! This is the cause of the bald spots. each Roo needs 3 to 5 hens, some need more to not have bald hens. The missing feathers on the roos are from other roos most likely.... You can put the extra Roos in a pen by them selves. But they will crow non stop and "Roo" each other most likely... If they cant see or hear the hens its better but they will still crow. They will even crow at night! I'd have a roo roast if it were me. They are some kinda tasty! Good Luck with your birds.... Bill

 

[Birdlife99]

Haha yes the Roos do make a funny crowing noise at night especially

 

[Shaman777]

Thanks for all your responses!

Here's another question: I've been looking at all of the pics of quail pens on this site... why are all of them off of the ground?

 

[Peacerose]

To keep them from walking in their own mess and protect from predators. Also to keep eggs clean.

 

[Birdlife99]

Thanks for all your responses!

Here's another question: I've been looking at all of the pics of quail pens on this site... why are all of them off of the ground?

We have our quails in the bottom of our budgie aviary and during the spring we let them free range our yard ( have to be careful they don't get in with the chooks ) and our dog does not mind them. We don't have them elevated but where they sleep at night is covered with wire. They have mini nest boxes and don't walk in their own mess. Unless you have a lot of predators whether it is elevated or not I think doesn't matter.

 

[Fat Daddy]

Thanks for all your responses!

Here's another question: I've been looking at all of the pics of quail pens on this site... why are all of them off of the ground?

While all the reasons above are valid. My main reasons for raised, wire pens are easy of care, and the health of my birds. When raised on the ground, they are exposed to anything that has ever been there. Thats wild birds, chickens, turkey, anything at all. Worms and disease are easier spread when birds are kept on the ground. While I'm not saying ground pens are bad, they need to be larger and well maintained.... Plus catching a flighty bob in a large ground pen is alot more of a task than im up for!!!

 

[Shaman777]

well, my main concern is for the quails happiness, as they are pets for us, not livestock. it seems to me that they would be happier on the ground where they can move around more and pick at bugsp and be more natural. i plan on covering thetop of the enclosure and doing something to prevent foxes from digging under the pen...what do you think? sorry for the gramatical mistkaes...typing onp my tablet ..lol

 

[Birdlife99]

Yes I think the raised pen is more suitable for livestock too. Main reason why ours are on the ground. I am sure that if we were wanting to keep quails for livestock purposes and not as pets we would probably have a raised pen too.