Coturnix Quail Relationship Questions

[sweetshoplady]

I don't think my little hen likes the male that's in with her. I do have some more quail that are about 2 weeks old and some in the bator.

She keeps her distance from him and stays as much as she can on the opposite side of their pen from him. The only time they get close is when he sneaks up and grabs her and pulls out her feathers (in his sad attempt at wooing her).

I feel really bad for her. How do I find someone that she likes? These new ones need about a month or so to grow up before I integrate them. I was planning on putting him in with other females and her with a different male. ANd possibly with another female or 2 so she's not the sole female in there. They have lots of room for them in their pen/cage and she takes full advantage of it.

 

[linebacker]

I don't think you will find one she actually likes. You need more hens with the male so he will share his wooing with the other girls.

Brad

 

[monarc23]

yep that's the problem...you need more hens in with the male, one hen with one male is just asking for tons of stress on the hens part. Tell those youngin hens to grow up fast so your poor older hen has some distance between her and the male lol! Perferably you should have atleast 4 hens per male to keep the stress down.

 

[sweetshoplady]

How soon can I tell if these 4 are boys or girls? If I post a pic of them could you tell me?

In my first hatch, I only had one girl. I took 3 of the males out. (4 boys, 1 girl)

How big/old should they be to go in there with them? They're about 2 - 3 weeks old now. They seem to have the beginnings of speckled chests. I am so hoping they are all girls. I'm sure she would love some female company, so she could dustbathe without being jumped on.

Thanks so much for the ratio info.

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

You could post some, and we could try.

They might be ready to tell now

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
well, the 3 week old chicks, wait another week and you should be able to see the rusty breast feathers lightly starting on the males and the lack of rusty feathers on the hens. Both males and females as youngsters look very similar until they reach 4-5 weeks old then you're able to tell. The chick in my main picture here as a profile picture is a young male, you can see his very light red feathering coming in.

I hope they're all girlies for ya too!