So today I was feeding my adult quail and I noticed one of my most docile (and favourite) quail was missing. I had banded this one because it had no significant markings, and the second favourite (also very docile) had a caramel colour so I didnt tag it. These two I could let roam for a bit outside the cage and my labrador would not scare it away. When it was time, I would pick them both up without them EVER getting afraid and trying to fly away.
I've got a camera livestreaming the adults and chicks 24/7, so I'm digging through 40+ hours of footage now to find the exact time. All I've seen is at least one rat has been coming to eat from their feeder. I thought maybe one of them killed the quail and took it away, but I figured there might be evidence of a scuffle and feathers on the floor. I looked around the garden and on the other side of my house which is connected to a park but it's not there.
I'm hoping it will appear but I doubt it, I live next to a creek/mountain and it could be very happy in the wild.
I'm quite upset and so I always try to find the silver lining to avoid getting too depressed, and the best I can come up with is that at least it's in the wild, when just last month the spanish authoritiez imposed a ban on quail hunting and declared them in danger of extinction (strange, I know, all the hunters are furious).
So maybe at least this way it can help boost the wild population? Although it is a domesticated bird so I don't know how well it's brooding instincts will be.
Sad times
hopefully it's a blessing in disguise.
EDIT: Whereas before I was on the fence about clipping their wings, I think I've changed my mind and now it's the best idea.
EDIT 2: Their wings have been clipped, and after sifting through many hours of footage, I found the culprit. It was a rat. The quail wasn't bothered enough by the presence of the rat, and it seems the rat got defensive over the feeder and leaped like 50-100cm at the quail. They tussled for a bit before the rat dragged her under the palet of the compost pile I went to see what was there and hopefully kill all the rats in the nest, but I only found her half eaten body I have declared war on these bastards, and will find a way to permanently put an end to them coming back. Until then, I have moved the 4 remaining quail into a large dog crate, and put the male in the original, smaller, but animal proof coop.
I've got a camera livestreaming the adults and chicks 24/7, so I'm digging through 40+ hours of footage now to find the exact time. All I've seen is at least one rat has been coming to eat from their feeder. I thought maybe one of them killed the quail and took it away, but I figured there might be evidence of a scuffle and feathers on the floor. I looked around the garden and on the other side of my house which is connected to a park but it's not there.
I'm hoping it will appear but I doubt it, I live next to a creek/mountain and it could be very happy in the wild.
I'm quite upset and so I always try to find the silver lining to avoid getting too depressed, and the best I can come up with is that at least it's in the wild, when just last month the spanish authoritiez imposed a ban on quail hunting and declared them in danger of extinction (strange, I know, all the hunters are furious).
So maybe at least this way it can help boost the wild population? Although it is a domesticated bird so I don't know how well it's brooding instincts will be.
Sad times
hopefully it's a blessing in disguise.EDIT: Whereas before I was on the fence about clipping their wings, I think I've changed my mind and now it's the best idea.
EDIT 2: Their wings have been clipped, and after sifting through many hours of footage, I found the culprit. It was a rat. The quail wasn't bothered enough by the presence of the rat, and it seems the rat got defensive over the feeder and leaped like 50-100cm at the quail. They tussled for a bit before the rat dragged her under the palet of the compost pile
I went to see what was there and hopefully kill all the rats in the nest, but I only found her half eaten body I have declared war on these bastards, and will find a way to permanently put an end to them coming back. Until then, I have moved the 4 remaining quail into a large dog crate, and put the male in the original, smaller, but animal proof coop.
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