Get a male now or add one later?

[rcstanley]

I'm new to quail and want coturnix quail for eggs and to breed. I'd like to have a male and four females eventually. But since winter is coming up, I won't be hatching until next spring. Would it be better to buy a male and females together or would it be OK to get females now and add a male in the spring? I know flock politics can be brutal, so I want to make things as easy as possible on the quail.

 

[Dani xxx]

I would get them together as it is more difficult to add new birds later

 

[blackdust951]

I would get them together as it is more difficult to add new birds later

i agree you should probably do this

 

[Irajoe]

If you wait to add the male, introduce them all to a new (maybe temporary) pen for a day or so and then return them together to the old pen. Even the old surroundings will seem new to the quail after having been away from it for a day or so...and they'll be more accepting and not territorial.

 

[blackdust951]

If you wait to add the male, introduce them all to a new (maybe temporary) pen for a day or so and then return them together to the old pen. Even the old surroundings will seem new to the quail after having been away from it for a day or so...and they'll be more accepting and not territorial.

HADN'T THOUGHT OF THIS BUT YOU COULD TRY IT IF YOU WANT TO

 

[JaeG]

Sometimes individual birds just don't like each other so it is safer to get them all at the same time. I've had individuals who were never accepted by a certain bird no matter what I tried. It can be very frustrating and females are more than capable of doing some serious damage, just as the males are.