Button quail thread!!

[TeresaW]

Also I'm intested in knowing how many buttons do you have left?

We have the 8 adults and now 25 chicks.

 

[Nabiki]

We were transferring them from one box to a bigger box and I didn't know they were going to start flying out. I saw two get out and caught those. The cat caught one, that makes three. Then I counted and there was still one missing. We can't find it anywhere. It's probably died by now.

Don't give up yet. I had one that I thought for sure my mischief monsters got since I found feathers but no sign of the bird. I shut my office door and stayed in there working for a couple hours when I heard something. It was my missing button.

 

[Andkingquail]

We have the 8 adults and now 25 chicks.

Wow you have a lot are you planning to keep all of them?

 

[TeresaW]

Don't give up yet. I had one that I thought for sure my mischief monsters got since I found feathers but no sign of the bird. I shut my office door and stayed in there working for a couple hours when I heard something. It was my missing button.

We needed to leave for a couple hours and I looked again when we got home but no luck. I even left a bowl of water next to the chick’s brooder in case it heard the peeping and went towards it.

 

[TeresaW]

One got out when I was trying to add food. I was able to catch it right away. But this can't keep happening. I want to cry and scream.

I need to put them in a smaller room where I can close the door before opening the brooder. But that's impossible right now. They are in the great room, where it's large, full of stuff, and open to the entire house.

Anyway, I got food in there, but they need water, and I'm afraid to open it. I didn't have this issue with my original 8 chicks, they all backed away from the opening when I went to feed them.

 

[Nabiki]

Can you put in a smaller door?

 

[TeresaW]

Can you put in a smaller door?

No, it's a zippered opening. I do try to open it at little as possible. But these chicks move like lightening. It's this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CF9DTKBJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

There's a zipper on the top and one on the side. I use the side opening whenever possible. I know approaching from the top is scary for them.

 

[TeresaW]

I haven’t had anymore escapees. I’ve been training them. I go up to the brooder talking to them, telling them it’s time to eat.

I jiggle the zipper a few times, still talking sweetly. During this time they back away from the door. I keep talking to them while keeping a close eye on them.

I refill their food and water as quickly as I can. I keep their bowls close to the door. When I’m done, I step back, whistle their quail call and they come out to eat.

I do this the same exact way each time. It’s working like a charm.

 

[Nabiki]

My little ground bird not being a ground bird.

 

[Carterborchers]

Where did you get that cage, and how many does it house? I recently had to move while mine were still in brooders. They are 30”x 16” x 16”, and only 2-3 for each…except for the “baby box.” My one “couple”have been busy… 40 fertile eggs, and I hatched 8.

They definitely need more room, but not including the babies, I have 4 males, and just one hen. For a while, they all lived harmoniously. Then I guess puberty came along, and “Sonic” and “Leo” were pecking at each other and literally tumbling around on the ground. They’re now separated. My “bachelor” box was fine, but now “Bruno” hates everyone. He “scalps” the other two…not to the point of bleeding, but there are no feathers on their heads. I’ve seen Bruno BODY SLAM Sonic, latch onto his neck and couldn’t get him to let go! They have hiding spots…an upturned shoebox with holes cut throughout as escape routes. They spend most of the day peeking through the slats trying to get a view of Speckles’ voluptuous breasts, so maybe the boxes are just too close…? The two male non-offenders are very anxious and pace a lot. If I could cull, it’d probably be best…but I just can’t do it. I guess setting him “free” in a pasture would be more cruel with predators and all. Will a vet be willing to put him down so that he just goes to “sleep,” or would I be laughed at. It’s a shame…he’s my prettiest button…blue faced, with the pretty bib. I’d never breed him, though because he’s just too aggressive. Thought of putting him alone in his own cage, but that seems mean for a social bird too.

And here I thought button quail were gentle!