Can I put younger quail with older quail?

[quailmaniac]

I have one quail (who we suspect is a male) who is a little bit older than a week. He used to have a female with him but she died from an injured leg. We are expecting a few hatchlings in the next week or two and am wondering if I can put the quails into the brooder with the week old quail. He is pretty energetic and longing for a friend. Any advice is helpful! Thank you!

 

[Fenrisulfr]

I wouldn't do it.
The new chicks will be about 3 Weeks old, when the older chick gets mature. This will probably bring some problems.
Especially if it is a male. He will try to mate and will hurt the younger ones.

 

[quailmaniac]

I wouldn't do it.
The new chicks will be about 3 Weeks old, when the older chick gets mature. This will probably bring some problems.
Especially if it is a male. He will try to mate and will hurt the younger ones.

Okay thank you so much! Do you have an age that you would suggest introducing them or when they can be kept in the same brooder/coop?

 

[Fenrisulfr]

When the younger ones are at least 6 weeks old.
This is the age coturnix quails get mature.
The older one is then about 9 weeks and this should work.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

P.S.: ... but re-grouping always has the risk of trouble. Try to introduce them by place them seperate, so that they can see and hear each other, some days.
And watch them carefully, so you can intervene when it gets bad.
But also don't seperate them too fast, as they have to reorganize their pecking order.

Good luck!

 

[quailmaniac]

P.S.: ... but re-grouping always has the risk of trouble. Try to introduce them by place them seperate, so that they can see and hear each other, some days.
And watch them carefully, so you can intervene when it gets bad.
But also don't seperate them too fast, as they have to reorganize their pecking order.

Good luck!

Thank you so much! I will