Cockerel chick with Male Quail?

[Logan0203]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this still haven’t figured this website out and this is my first time keeping bids so please be kind.

I got a little chick last month and he has grown into a lovely little cockerel about 5-6 weeks old, I named him Ron. He was raised alongside his little chick quail buddy, Claude.

I recently acquired 2 young beautiful Welsummer hens to live alongside Ron and I planned to remove Claude and get him a girlfriend and have the quails and the hens separately. However the Welsummer girls are being rather nasty to Ron, I’m worried that he will get hurt.. I know there has to be a pecking order defined but I just don’t know how much to allow, I’m scared to leave them alone in case someone is hurt.
I have also just witnessed Ron standing in front of Claude protecting him from the girls as they began getting pushy, he is really attached to his little mate and it makes me sad because I feel like they only have each other!

My biggest question is, can I keep the boys together? Be it just have another coop for the girls... I know it isn’t really practical I suppose, but because they get on so well I’m considering it. But I know nothing about cockerel/quail behaviour as they mature. Is there a chance they’ll continue to be friends throughout their lives as they grew up from tiny chicks together? Or will they mature and begin to compete with each other?

Thanks, having a very emotional morning about it all. Who knew introducing birds could be so stressful....

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC! @Logan0203

Who knew introducing birds could be so stressful....

It certainly can be!
Birds can be vicious!
Some integration tips and links below.

Sounds like you may need to separate, that should always be an option(ready to use), if things get bloody or even too stressed.
Housing and space are very important, 3 great links in my signature to read.

How old are the Wellies?

Generally multiple males are going to be a problem once they reach sexual maturity,
but can depend on individual birds demeanor's and space available.

Generally quail and chickens are not kept together due to different housing needs and size of birds. There's some disease factors to consider also.


Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Logan0203]

Welcome to BYC! @Logan0203


It certainly can be!
Birds can be vicious!
Some integration tips and links below.

Sounds like you may need to separate, that should always be an option(ready to use), if things get bloody or even too stressed.
Housing and space are very important, 3 great links in my signature to read.

How old are the Wellies?

Generally multiple males are going to be a problem once they reach sexual maturity,
but can depend on individual birds demeanor's and space available.

Generally quail and chickens are not kept together due to different housing needs and size of birds. There's some disease factors to consider also.


Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Thank you so much for the great information!
Space isn’t an issue right at this minute, I had the 2 young chicks (Quail and Cockerel) in my kitchen whilst they were still tiny plugged into the brooder, and they are still in with me just now! So everyone has free range of the kitchen most of the day. I am waiting for my outdoor accommodation to arrive, and I’m trying to transition them outside... so I will take your advice for they go, thank you so much.

The Welsummers are sisters, both around 5-6 weeks old and so is my cockerel chick and Quail all of the same age. The Welsummers are significantly bigger than the cockerel though, but I have no idea what breed he is or anything as he was rescued from a tractor tyre! But I was told to not get bantam hens for him in case they were too small... but I’m beginning to think I should’ve.
I was told it’s best to leave everyone in together at night as they’d be roosting, is that correct? Everyone is sleeping currently but in 2 different pairs- the boys and the girls....
The girls are beautiful don’t get me wrong, I’m just having a really hard time with it all. I’m sure I’ve probably domesticated my cockerel too much.



Here he is sitting on my mum whilst she was knitting!

Picture below is one of the girls.

 

[aart]

"Domesticating' a cockerel can backfire...or not.
Depends on your goals for these birds.
I don't handle cockerels much after I know they are male.
But I have chickens for food, not pets.

Might want to read up on quail here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/quail.48/

I'd get them all outside, but separated as soon as possible.
When will your "outdoor accommodation" arrive...and what does it look like?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!