Can a mother quail and her babies survive with other quail in the pen?

Whatthecluck2

In the Brooder
8 Years
Dec 30, 2013
15
3
44
I had 9 bobwhite quail. 2 Males and 7 females. About a year ago, although raised together, one male killed the other male.

One of my females hatched 9 baby quail. They are 4 days old and they all live in the same enclosure. today I noticed one of the other females pecking at the babies feet.

Do I need to separate this mama hen and her babies from the group?

Other behavior, the male has shown the babies how to eat, and I saw 2 females laying together keeping the babies warm.
 
I would probably separate any birds that peck at the chicks. They might just be looking for worms, rather than being aggressive to the chicks, but the chicks toes might get hurt by it anyway. I wouldn't dare moving the mother, fearing to stress her - but it might not be a problem.
I only have buttons, one roo and 3 hens. The first time they hatched chicks, I had the same problem as you do - one of the hens were pecking at their toes. I separated her by placing a cage on top of her(they live in an aviary), so they could still see each other, and released her a couple of weeks later. A few hours after being released, she helped keep the chicks warm as well.
 

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