Bullying quail?

[josey_quails]

I have seven 8-month old coturnix, all female, in a large enclosure. They were getting along fine for months but all of a sudden six of the seven have ganged up on one. They are pecking, chasing, and preventing her from getting food/water. She'll fly to a site out of reach and then start pacing back and forth. I have separated her from the rest (same enclosure but out of view) and given her food and water. After a day she seems to be doing much better. I tried to reintroduce her to the flock but they are still bullying/chasing/etc. I separated the most aggressive bully but the rest continued to peck at her. She's currently isolated with food/water. The one being bullied is smaller than the rest, and tuxedo coloration if that matters.

Any idea what's happening or what to do?!

 

[Nabiki]

You might try removing all of the birds, clean and rearrange their pen, then put your bullied hen in. Add the others just a bit after. That will sometimes rearrange the pecking order.

 

[FloorCandy]

Are you certain the smaller tux is a hen? If the hens have singled her out, I would sit with a spray bottle with half water half vinegar, and spray anyone who aggresses. Sometimes this will deter them, I’ll sit for an hour or so, and when it’s been calm for a bit I’ll go do something else, and check back later to offer reminders if they’re still acting up. Sometimes quail just don’t like each other and there’s nothing you can do. You can also get the victim some friends, and let them get used to each other, then combine them in a week or two, and the one won’t be alone, there’s strength in numbers, I try to never move a hen alone, I try to take them in pairs or greater.

 

[josey_quails]

You might try removing all of the birds, clean and rearrange their pen, then put your bullied hen in. Add the others just a bit after. That will sometimes rearrange the pecking order.

Okay I'll give it a shot! Thank you!

 

[josey_quails]

Are you certain the smaller tux is a hen? If the hens have singled her out, I would sit with a spray bottle with half water half vinegar, and spray anyone who aggresses. Sometimes this will deter them, I’ll sit for an hour or so, and when it’s been calm for a bit I’ll go do something else, and check back later to offer reminders if they’re still acting up. Sometimes quail just don’t like each other and there’s nothing you can do. You can also get the victim some friends, and let them get used to each other, then combine them in a week or two, and the one won’t be alone, there’s strength in numbers, I try to never move a hen alone, I try to take them in pairs or greater.

Yes, I've checked her vent and she's been laying eggs! I'll give this a shot. Thank you for the advice about not moving them alone. I thought she was sick at first hence the quarantine, but it turns out she's just being bullied!

 

[arlia1625]

I came out to my quail pen and the quails had bullied one of them pecking around her eyes so bad she couldn't see. I separated them putting the hurt one in our shed and she made it through the night and is getting better walking around but not really eating. But her eyes are still bloody I want to get q tips and dilute betadine and water to wash her eyes. What should I do? I don't want to scare her too much and I'm thinking of just giving away my other 3 quails and having her alone in the quail pen or just keeping one but which one.

 

[Nabiki]

Give her a rinse with warm water, or better yet, saline solution. Make sure she stays warm as well.

I wouldn't keep her alone. Quail need others. Do you know which one is the bully, or is she just picked on by all of them? If you want to keep one other, keep another hen.

 

[arlia1625]

thanks i think it was just one or two.

 

[Nabiki]

If you know who the bully(s) are, I would get rid of them.

 

[arlia1625]

true my friends have chickens and that will put them on the bottom of the ladder and she's happy to take them