male quail is pecking the female repeatedly

[JessicaJessica13]

my male quail(pretty sure they are bobwhites or courtnix) is pecking my female quail repeatedly. she just recently started laying her eggs, about 2 days ago. this is her 3rd egg, but she only has 2 because one broke. she's not hatching them, I'm guessing it's because she's not broody. but he keeps pecking her head/ eyes every few minutes. she doesn't have the chance to do anything because she's too busy running away from him, as he chases her. I just noticed this today. Does anyone know what to do?? and yes I only have 2

 

[Alaskan]

I would separate them for a bit.

Just how big is the cage? Maybe they need more space.

If some time apart doesn't help, and a bigger cage doesn't help...he just might need more females (or maybe he will never be nice... it is possible )

Good luck

 

[FrankHomestead]

I know nothing about quail but I would separate them, or get more females so he isn't obsessing over the one. That goes for pretty much any breeders of any species, even fish in a breeder tank lol

 

[FrankHomestead]

I would separate them for a bit.

Just how big is the cage? Maybe they need more space.
Lol sorry I didn't see your comment before posting, didn't mean to be your echo haha

If some time apart doesn't help, and a bigger cage doesn't help...he just might need more females (or maybe he will never be nice... it is possible )

Good luck

 

[JessicaJessica13]

the cage is

I would separate them for a bit.

Just how big is the cage? Maybe they need more space.

If some time apart doesn't help, and a bigger cage doesn't help...he just might need more females (or maybe he will never be nice... it is possible
The cage is about 4 feet across and 3 feet tall. I read they only need 1 square foot per bird, so I think they're good. I did separate them, but he gets very noisey. currently they are still separated, but she still won't hatch the eggs. she lays down farther from the eggs.

 

[Alaskan]

Domestic quail very rarely hatch their own eggs.

I used to own a flock, and zero went broody.

As to the cage, height doesn't help with quail...unless you somehow figure out how to make it multi story? For more usable space?

So how deep is the cage? 4x2??

Technically yes, that should be enough space, but I think the issue is that the male quail are IMPRESSIVELY "active" and also violent. Whenever I had 2 or more males together past puberty, it would turn nasty and bloody very fast. They also breed with the females pretty constantly.

When I had them I had one male for about 13 females, and unfortunately, even with that many, there was always one favorite that would end up a bit ratty.


I never tried a pair of quail.... Maybe the males are just too sexually active to be in pairs.

I have read that button quail do fine in pairs... if you want to try a different kind.

There are some chicken breeds that also do very well in just pairs, if you want to have a pair of chickens.

 

[IrisChicken]

I would separate them for a bit.

Just how big is the cage? Maybe they need more space.

If some time apart doesn't help, and a bigger cage doesn't help...he just might need more females (or maybe he will never be nice... it is possible )

Good luck

If those don't work, maybe you should butcher him. That's what we did for a male chicken that repeatedly pecked everybody else for very odd and mean ways (such as not letting others get to food or water).

 

[JessicaJessica13]

Domestic quail very rarely hatch their own eggs.

I used to own a flock, and zero went broody.

As to the cage, height doesn't help with quail...unless you somehow figure out how to make it multi story? For more usable space?

So how deep is the cage? 4x2??

Technically yes, that should be enough space, but I think the issue is that the male quail are IMPRESSIVELY "active" and also violent. Whenever I had 2 or more males together past puberty, it would turn nasty and bloody very fast. They also breed with the females pretty constantly.

When I had them I had one male for about 13 females, and unfortunately, even with that many, there was always one favorite that would end up a bit ratty.


I never tried a pair of quail.... Maybe the males are just too sexually active to be in pairs.

I have read that button quail do fine in pairs... if you want to try a different kind.

There are some chicken breeds that also do very well in just pairs, if you want to have a pair of chickens.

I've had chickens before, but they cause too much of a mess. they make huge holes in the dirt which then teaches my dogs to do the same. I don't need them teaching my dogs anymore tricks haha. but thank you so much! I will definitely try those tips.

 

[JessicaJessica13]

If those don't work, maybe you should butcher him. That's what we did for a male chicken that repeatedly pecked everybody else for very odd and mean ways (such as not letting others get to food or water).

I can't possibly do that haha. they are mostly pets to me, not for food or anything here.

 

[JessicaJessica13]

Domestic quail very rarely hatch their own eggs.

I used to own a flock, and zero went broody.

As to the cage, height doesn't help with quail...unless you somehow figure out how to make it multi story? For more usable space?

So how deep is the cage? 4x2??

Technically yes, that should be enough space, but I think the issue is that the male quail are IMPRESSIVELY "active" and also violent. Whenever I had 2 or more males together past puberty, it would turn nasty and bloody very fast. They also breed with the females pretty constantly.

When I had them I had one male for about 13 females, and unfortunately, even with that many, there was always one favorite that would end up a bit ratty.


I never tried a pair of quail.... Maybe the males are just too sexually active to be in pairs.

I have read that button quail do fine in pairs... if you want to try a different kind.

There are some chicken breeds that also do very well in just pairs, if you want to have a pair of chickens.

and also, since my quail are going to lay eggs on a daily basis, is it a good idea to get a egg incubator? it's not a big one, pretty small. it holds 7 eggs. I think it would be good consider.