Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) the monster bird

[B-Goock]

Right now I'm running almost 8 hens to 1 roo and the hens still get ruffled up some from overmating. I keep each group separated in their own cage.

They get bored. Anything to keep them entertained and the go to..... dust baths.
Really simple stuff that is "something different"
I burn wood in my garage and pull out large coals, allow them to cool, and place them in. They peck at it and roll it around.
Put a pan in with pine shavings or bark. Find some field grass and toss in. Even feeding them egg shell or ground oyster shell is entertainment for them. I put some on top of their food. They stay focused picking at the different bits. Toss & waste some food but oh well.
Sprout some carrot tops in the window. Leaf of cabbage.

Still occasionally somebody doesn't like somebody. All i'll say is they are tasty.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I feel your pain. I've had one problem with males in a batchlor pad, and several with females that kill the poor birds they decide aren't worth keeping alive. They have more than a foot of space and are always kept clean with plenty of feed and water in several stations. I've noticed that genetics seem to play a big role.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

What would you recommend if it was for "doomsday protein?" Also, would keeping them in closer proximity to regular human activity help with boredom?

Seems like the preppers that keep quail have a regular routine for bird rotation, not unlike taking food out of the refrigerator. I suppose if you just keep them until sexual maturity then eat them, that's humane enough. In this case, usually a series of battery cages will suffice. I'm not one of these flock keepers, so perhaps someone else can answer this question better than me.

As far as watching humans, I think the birds enjoy "people TV." There are a few people who keep them inside as pets.

 

[Quail 66]

Do you have pictures of your setup? I have had a few scalpings, but not nearly on the scale that you're describing. I've put a couple pictures of my setup below. I move mine around my yard, they get to dig through my garden beds during fall/winger.
View attachment 2511140View attachment 2511141

What plant is that inside the cage and why won't they eat it? I'm looking for some plants to put inside the cage.

 

[Nabiki]

What plant is that inside the cage and why won't they eat it? I'm looking for some plants to put inside the cage.

That was a zucchini plant, and they did eat it. I was retiring that bed for the winter, so I left the plant in there with one overgrown zucchini in it. They destroyed the plant, pecked the zucchini, and had a fine time doing it. After the plants are gone, I hoe their poop under once a week or so, and they follow the hoe around grabbing worms and any bugs that get turned up.

 

[Quail 66]

That was a zucchini plant, and they did eat it. I was retiring that bed for the winter, so I left the plant in there with one overgrown zucchini in it. They destroyed the plant, pecked the zucchini, and had a fine time doing it. After the plants are gone, I hoe their poop under once a week or so, and they follow the hoe around grabbing worms and any bugs that get turned up.

so sweet!! Yes, they love zucchini.