completely shocked

[Godsgrl]

I have two pairs of buttons, and one pair hatched out babies on March 25. When the babies got old enough, I put the two babies together in a separate cage together.

They were both white, so I did not know their gender. But when one showed up scalped, I assumed I had two males. I separated them, and left it at that.

Nothing new happened with the babies, and I just continued assuming I had two males. Well today I find an egg in the aggressor's enclosure! WOW-SHE'S A HEN!!! So why did bully scalp her cagemate? And why did it take so long for her to lay an egg? She's 4 months old now.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[becky3086]

When they breed, the male holds her down by the head, which is why they end up scalped. Usually, when they first start breeding the males are a bit too aggressive.

 

[quailbrain]

The female is the arressive one... It is possible that the bald one had got an injury trying to get away from her bonking it's head. Once they see an injury the others will pick at it even to the point of death. I don't think it is meanness but more curiosity. Not really sure with yours but a possibility...

As for the egg and being that old I'm at a loss. They wont lay as much if they don't have enough light. 14 hours is reccomended. If she didn't have the calcium levels? Maybe she had a hormone imbalance and that made her the aggressor?

I hope your bald bird is better

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I agree with quailbrain, but wanted to add that atleast in coturnix the hens can *sometimes* be aggressive though not as common as males. And yes head bonking can make injuries that look very similiar to being attacked and once blood shows up its a becon for others to come and peck

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I agree with quailbrain, but wanted to add that atleast in coturnix the hens can *sometimes* be aggressive though not as common as males. And yes head bonking can make injuries that look very similiar to being attacked and once blood shows up its a becon for others to come and peck

Well said by the quail master.

AL

 

[saddina]

Quote:
I agree with quailbrain, but wanted to add that atleast in coturnix the hens can *sometimes* be aggressive though not as common as males. And yes head bonking can make injuries that look very similiar to being attacked and once blood shows up its a becon for others to come and peck

Well said by the quail master.

AL

*gets mential image of Niki with a quail-egg pokeball* "Rosetta, I choose you!"

 

[monarc23]

 

[citalk2much]

I would also say that protein plays a large roll in egg laying. As far as the scalping there is a ton of reasons why. Sometime it is just a mean bird. If they get upset they are prone to go off. I will have to say buttons make up for their small size with meanness

 

[Godsgrl]

Thank you for the very informative replies. I hadn't thought about the boinking issue-that is very possible, then the other one pecked it. That makes sense.

I have a light on them that runs all day, but perhaps I need to turn it on earlier. The other hens are laying just fine...well except my broody.

Thanks for the insight, and my scalped bird is just fine, very very vocal as of late.

 

[jetto]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but the light thing brings up a question for me. What color bulb do you use? We have a red bulb in the brooder but is white ok for out in the barn to provide more light?

Kristi