Introducing hen to male (button quail)

[Happy Novogens]

My hen button quail died. Is there anything I need to know about safely introducing a new hen to my male? (I only had the one pair of quail.)

 

[DK newbie]

Often it works to just throw the pair together - sometimes one of them will start out being aggressive, then a few minutes later the other one has taken over the aggressive role, half an hour later they are coexisting peacefully most of the time and the next day they are acting like a pair.
But the more 'safe' way to do it, is to house them side-by-side for a week or so, preferably separated by a single layer of wire, then let them into an enclosure that is new to both of them, with lots of cover, distractions and places to hide.

The middle road could be throwing them together in an enclosure that's new to both (perhaps just change the layout of the old enclosure).

 

[Happy Novogens]

Just an update. Thank you DK.

I first tried just putting the hen in, but the male didn't like that and started pecking at her.
I put the cage divider in and let them live side-by-side for a couple weeks. Yesterday, I took out the divider when cleaning the cage and re-arranged the cage too. They've been doing just great. Haven't seen any pecking.

 

[AltonaAcres]

I accidentally got stuck with two males, (button quail), so I took one out and plan to sell him, and for the other, I bought a female. She has been in a small hamster carrying cage in the male's hutch for 5 days. Should I wait a few more days or not? They are definitely interacting with each other and are in-tune with what's going on. For example when I go to feed them the female who is skittish will fly back and then the male will copy. Before introducing I will add worms, sticks, leaves, and maybe a hideout to occupy them

 

[DK newbie]

Does the hamster carrying cage have plastic or wire sides? If wire, you are probably fine to let it out now, though I'd probably still rearrange the enclosure - place feed, water and hiding places differently and such. If plastic, I don't think they can get to know each other through the cage anyways, so whether you let her out now or keep her in for a few more days is unlikely to change the result.

 

[AltonaAcres]

It was a wire cage. I put them together last night and they are doing fine!!