Aggressive male quail

[K85trb]

Hi,
So I bought some female quail to keep with the friendly male I selected to keep from my initial dozen. Problem, the male who was previously sweet and loved being petted is now acting aggressively towards me when I am trying to clean the cage. He will bite and jump at my face. Is this normal? Should I cull him and get a different male?

 

[JaeG]

He's just defending his girls from your intrusion. As long as he's kind and gentle towards the females I'd keep him. His behaviour should settle down once he feels more secure in his role (his hormones are probably raging at the moment). You'll find he crows less as he settles down as well.

 

[K85trb]

Thank you!

 

[bhaugh]

Aggressive males must submit to me no matter what. They don't have to like me and will grumble at me but birds who come at me are picked up and held till they submit. You should never have to dread caring for your birds. Nice males are out there so put a time limit on your changing his behavior.