HELP!! I could see my quail’s spine! Breeding ratio issues? PLEASE HELP!

[Small town chicken farmer]

This happened the night before and I don’t have pictures of the original wound as I was focused on separating the bird. I will post the pictures I just took (the night after) below. This is a female bobwhite who was living with 4 other females and 2 males. Not sure how obvious it is, but the wound has mostly pulled back together now I’m relieved how much the 1” hole showing her spine had closed up. I noticed she was getting pecked, but I didn’t notice the blood which dried and clumped up the feathers on her neck. When I came back that night I watched the dominant male rip her neck open by that clump of feathers. It was so sad and painful I kicked him out of the way and immediately quarantined the female. It still amazes me how resilient these little birds are. I will have more to the story soon...

 

[Small town chicken farmer]

As you can see by one of my pictures above, she is very skinny and feels fragile. She has been eating in her quarantine. Here are some pictures of the rest of the breeding group.

 

[Small town chicken farmer]

Time for the rest of the story. I have 8 males currently living outside and 7 inside for breeding this winter. I have 5 females inside and 2 males but one of the males is super aggressive. I’m wondering if this is because I have 2 males for 5 females. If I need to change this, I will kick the aggressive male outside with his releatives. Or if there is something else I need to do, add, change, or remove from the breeding enclosure, please let me know!!

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I had a ton of trouble with quails a few years ago. Tried raising them but they tend to be very aggressive, even the hens. I had 4 females to 1 male in a very large set up and they still went after each other and tore each other up like this. I did eventually sell them as they were just constantly fighting, no matter what I did. I think it's just the birds nature honestly. I've never had problems like that with any other bird (chicken, duck, turkey, pheasants, etc).

 

[Small town chicken farmer]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I had a ton of trouble with quails a few years ago. Tried raising them but they tend to be very aggressive, even the hens. I had 4 females to 1 male in a very large set up and they still went after each other and tore each other up like this. I did eventually sell them as they were just constantly fighting, no matter what I did. I think it's just the birds nature honestly. I've never had problems like that with any other bird (chicken, duck, turkey, pheasants, etc).

Planning on starting pheasants next year so it’s a relief I won’t have to deal with as much of this with the pheasants

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Planning on starting pheasants next year so it’s a relief I won’t have to deal with as much of this with the pheasants

Pheasants are awesome. My only advice is make sure your pen is very secure. They can be pretty flighty. Beautiful animals though. (And they taste good!)