Hen button quail pecking at male

[Happy Novogens]

I've had this pair of button quail for around 7 weeks now. They seemed to get along fine and the hen lays an egg just about every day (which I remove).

Just recently I've noticed the male stripped of some of the feathers on his back. There is no scabbing or wounds... at least not yet. Just the feathers missing on that back end about the size of a quarter.

I'm not sure the cause. They get mostly chicken crumble and also some seed on the side.

On closer observation I noticed the female occasionally ruffling up in the corner of the cage. It seemed like she wanted to nest? I just now, as a result, placed an upside down container there (with a doorway cutout) hoping that she might just be looking for a nest area.

Any insight or suggestions? Do I need to separate them to give the male's feathers time to grow back? (The cage is made with the option of putting a divider through the middle.)

 

[DK newbie]

Feather picking very quickly becomes a habit, so you need to stop it as fast as possible. I'd definitely put the divider in the cage, and then I'd go get some gamebird starter feed - If your 'chicken crumble' is for adult chickens, it probably has around 16% protein, seed mixes tend to have around 12% - and buttons need around 20%. Feathers are mostly protein, so if they lack protein in the diet, they often try supplementing it by eating feathers.
In a couple of weeks once the roo has mostly regrown his feathers and they have both had their protein requirements fulfilled, you can try removing the divider again.

 

[Celeste Cannon]

I would do that if the hen is broody. When any bird is broody its best to separate them from the flock. It's a shame you don't have any other quails to keep your male quail company. Give him loads of attention while he's separated from his gal!

 

[Happy Novogens]

Thanks!

I checked the crumble and it says it has no less than 19% protein.

I have put the divider in for the meantime. They can still see each other since they are side-by-side. Maybe that will make them feel not so alone?

 

[Happy Novogens]

OK I separated the quail with a cage divider for just over a week. The males feathers looked better - couldn't see any bare spots - so I removed the divider two days ago. Today I noticed he was plucked again. Soooo... I put the divider back in.

What are my options?

They are getting a high protein crumble and do eat considerably more crumble than seed.

 

[DK newbie]

It sounds like it might already have become a habit.. I can think of 3 things you could try, but I wouldn't count on them working if the habit is already there. I'd do all 3 at once:
Get some feed with at least 24% protein and give them only that - that should be more than they need, so protein definitely can't be the problem.
Wait for the roo to FULLY regrow his feathers - he has to look completely normal.
Build an aviary or similar - at least 3x6 ft - and add a lot of things for them to explore, hide in and behind, stand on and such - and then introduce the roo first, giving him a week or so to make it 'his' before you add the hen. If it's a dominance issue that will put her lower in the pecking order initially and perhaps she'll be impressed at how 'at home' he is in this strange new invironment - and all the stuff in there will give her something else to do besides pecking him.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Bummer if it has become a habit! It was caught so soon after it started.
I'm heading to the feedstore today so can look for some higher protein crumble. Easy enough to wait for his feathers to fill in.

Unfortunately, the aviary isn't an option. It is HOT here. We're well over 100 F every day. It will be hanging around 115 F for a few days starting Monday. I sat outside the other day in the shade and it was reading 111 F.

I'll have to brainstorm to see if there is any other way to create a larger indoor space.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[Happy Novogens]

I got some 27% protein crumble but didn't even get to get her started on it. (Was freezing it for two days first.)

I awoke this morning to find she had died. She must've been egg-bound because she had an egg half-way out. Before this, she was laying an egg every day. seemingly with no problems.

I'll start another thread about introducing a new hen to a male.

 

[DK newbie]

Oww, that's too bad I'm so sorry!
When did she last lay an egg? Did you supplement her with calcium? Perhaps her feather picking was really due to not feeling well..

 

[Happy Novogens]

I was wondering the same -- that she wasn't well and that might've caused her to peck at the male.

I think her last egg was the day before yesterday. Normally it was daily, but once in a while she would go two days between.

She had oyster shell grit available. I did not add any calcium in addition since her eggs looked good and the shell was strong.

I got them both at a bird mart. Perhaps they just weren't the healthiest to start??