Getting fed up with quail brutality

[_Randall_]

I had the same problem not long after I put 50 BW chicks (6 wks. old) in a 27 sq. ft. pen. It progressively got worse as time went on. They had a high protein feed (Nutrena Starter) in front of them at all times. It was the crowded pen, and I knew it. Several of them looked pitiful from the lack of head/neck/tail feathers. I built a 60 sq. ft. pen and put them in it, and the pecking problem fixed itself immediately. A fourth of the pen is crammed full of pine limbs to go hide in. All have full feathers now, where several had none on the head and neck. All had no tail feathers, and now they all have tail feathers. Don't get me wrong, they still chase each other from time to time (mainly the roos), and try to peck, but there's enough running room and hiding space now that the chasers/peckers give up quickly.

 

[darkfur]

you can reduce brutality by lowering the light level, however this may suppress laying

 

[ksukristin]

Quote:
wifezilla- I need one of your sweet roos! I'm hoping to get a sweet roo from my new hatches, I had a roo that was SO mean that he was still mean after I trimmed his beak! So he had to go- culled him yesterday...so if you've got sweet roos your fertile eggs should be worth more$$!

 

[Wifezilla]

He seems to be well behaved...well...other than pulling out a few feathers during "the act".

He always gives the girls first crack at the treats. He shares the dusting box.

I have the incubator full of eggs and I should know by the 10th if he is doing his job

 

[Tony K T]

Sounds like their bored.Give them some lettuce,maybe they'll take theur aggressions out on it instead of each other.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Emilys3guppies]

What type of quail are they???

I haven't dealt with much brutality at all from my jumbo coturnix, but I hear they are the most docile of the quail.

 

[winstonsgrrrl]

Mine are jumbo coturnix. I think I'll try the lettuce trick. I have put the two injured ones back in the bunch, and they appear to be doing well. Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[CountryMom]

Bobwhite can be very brutal on each other. Keeping feed in front of them and red light or low light helps. Also coat the bloodied areas with blue kote spray stops the repeated pecking. I have never debeaked, but may consider it if I keep any for future breedings. Right now more interested in restocking our ranch. (and yes I have a license to release and it is legal in my state) I have in the past put in twigs and branches for them to climb on and under. Also millet spray for parakeets. Gambles were not nearly as aggressive as the Bobwhites can be. I don't have any experience with Coturnix to say how they act.

 

[Overeasyplz]

Quote:
lol I have Camp MagicChef

 

[Elite Silkies]

My Texas A&M are 5 weeks old now and still in the house. They started laying at 4 weeks, I was really shocked. But, my husband had to put one down today. I came home from work and they had almost ripped ones throat out, it was so horrible. It doesn't take them long either. They were all fine when I left for work this morning and my dad changes their water for me at least twice a day and he didn't notice anything wrong. Still trying to figure out the hen to roo ratio so that the extra roo's can go into the frying pan.