Help please! Quail odd behavior

[Vonchmessica]

hi everyone. I have a few questions about my coturnix quail. I have 2 roosters and 7 hens in quite a large rabbit cage with an open bottom. I have had them three weeks now and I’ve never heard the roosters crowing. Will this effect their breeding? We only have 11 hours of daylight atm so not expecting eggs yet.
The other question I have is that I’ve noticed my quail have changed in their behavior since I got them. Now they crouch down and then almost pounce, and then dart about the cage. Is this something they do when they feel threatened? The breeder I got them from had them tightly packed in wire cages in a suburban area... I’m in the country. Maybe it’s their new environment? Thanks so much

 

[le_bwah]

The boys will be pretty quiet with under 14 hours of sunlight. They'll start up about the time the hens start laying. As to the darting, I've noticed mine doing this when they're excited (when I add new mounds of bedding, new treats, etc.). As long as they aren't pouncing at you, I'm fairly certain it's a positive behavior

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

My quail started crowing at 4 to 5 weeks, they are in the house so light is partly artificial, as the western window is covered with a big tree. I would love it if they didn't crow so much !
How old are your quail ?

 

[Vonchmessica]

My quail started crowing at 4 to 5 weeks, they are in the house so light is partly artificial, as the western window is covered with a big tree. I would love it if they didn't crow so much !
How old are your quail ?

Thanks for your comment. Mine are around three months. But we’ve just come out of winter with 11 hours of light now. I’ve only had them for around 3 weeks though.
How many do you have?

 

[albinosilver]

The other question I have is that I’ve noticed my quail have changed in their behavior since I got them. Now they crouch down and then almost pounce, and then dart about the cage. Is this something they do when they feel threatened? The breeder I got them from had them tightly packed in wire cages in a suburban area... I’m in the country. Maybe it’s their new environment? Thanks so much

My quail definitely do this when they’re startled, especially from danger above. Ground dwelling birds do this, they’ll first crouch to see if there’s chance of them blending into their surroundings to avoid danger, if not, then they fly/run. Perhaps their old cage used to be elevated so they’re not used to being on the ground? They’ll get used to it with time.

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

Thanks for your comment. Mine are around three months. But we’ve just come out of winter with 11 hours of light now. I’ve only had them for around 3 weeks though.
How many do you have?

I have 15, but 5 are extra boys I'm trying to give away or if I can't I guess I will eat them. They haven't started fighting yet, but my older 2 almost killed each other when they reached breeding age at 8 weeks so I'm keeping a close eye on the younger ones. Because I have the 5 extra males in their own habitat.
The 2 oldest males are 3 months, the other 13 are 6.5 weeks old, so the extra 5 males have 2 or 3 weeks to try to find a new home before I eat them... but they are so cute I'm finding it hard, that's why I'm trying to give them away! I have an ad out on my local yardsales Web page where I sell baby chicks and stuff. It's midnight here right now and I forgot the hall light on, they are crowing away in the living room silly birds.

 

[Vonchmessica]

My quail definitely do this when they’re startled, especially from danger above. Ground dwelling birds do this, they’ll first crouch to see if there’s chance of them blending into their surroundings to avoid danger, if not, then they fly/run. Perhaps their old cage used to be elevated so they’re not used to being on the ground? They’ll get used to it with time.

Thanks for your help. Yes, their old cage was elevated and they were surrounded by other quail cages. Here they are on the ground and they can see the neighbors chickens and other wild birds. I’m hoping they settle down soon, we are heading into spring here in Australia and I’d love some eggs to incubate! I’ve never heard either of the roosters crow or take any interest in the hens, and I’ve had them for almost a month now. I’ll give them more time before I overthink it, we’re only getting 11 1/2 hours of daylight.