Ok-this sounds kind of lame but I have seriously lost a button quail in my apartment while I was transferring them to try to clean their cage and positively determine their sex. Lightening (and yes . . . there is meaning to that name . . . light yellow and quick as can be) got away once again . . . but this time I can't find her anywhere. I'd already transferred my other button quail Thunder (from day one when he/she began to peep it was continuous just like rolling thunder) to a different cage. I've looked absolutely everywhere - high and low. He/she can't possibly escape from the apartment or even get into the bedroom or the bathroom (where I very quickly tossed the two cats) for the button's safety. I've tore the living room/dining/kitchen combination unit apart with no success. The last time I saw her was when she ran behind the cat's litter box which is near the opening to the kitchen. I've put Thunder back in her cage (at least I was able to positively identify there are no red feathers near her vent so I accomplished 1/2 of what I set out to do ;>}) and put the cage down on the floor hoping she will call to Lightening and Lightening will come over to the cage. Does anyone out there have any ideas? I'm listening for peeps but with 7 parakeets, 2 rosie burkes, 3 java sparrow, 1 diamond dove, 2 lovebirds, and 2 canaries it's kind of difficult.
Update - I found the little creature. Seems like she enjoys snuggling under my loveseat. That was the first place she went to when she escaped. Then after flying/running all over the apartment and sneaking away out by the kitchen she ultimately returned to the livingroom! New question . . . I've now positively confirmed that Lighten is a hen - no question about it. Thunder is dark reddish brown so I'm wondering if he/she could actually be a roo - it's confusing since I don't see any feathers around the vent that appear to be any more reddish than his/her other coloring . . . but between the two buttons Lightening appears to have a much larger/swollen vent. And I have my first egg in the cage! Somebody may be a mommy!! Any help in sexing my buttons would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! I can't believe Lightening was out hiding for over 1 1/2 hours in a space that's only about 325 sq feet and I couldn't find her anywhere. And I have no idea how she got back to her original hiding spot. It only proves that the name I selected for her truly fits her! Wonder if they make GPS units small enough to attach to a button quail?
Hello and welcome to BYC Glad you found the little one! For sexing tips I'd suggest you try the Quail section.
