Mountain Quail Pecking

[drowe005]

Ive noticed on my mountain quail recently, that a few are missing there tail feathers, and noticed some blood on two different ones on their back around where the tail feathers connect. I've seen it happening and it is from them pecking, not from being on top of each other. Currently there is 5 in 12 square foot, but I am about to open there pen up to 24 sq ft. Any ideas why there doing this or how to prevent it? This is the first set of birds Ive ever had this problem with. Thanks


Im also interested in meeting some of our fellow Mountain Quail owners on the website, Ive yet to meet anyone else on here and have asked a few times.

 

[Peacerose]

I don't have mountain quail, but more room will help a lot. Also, if you can give them some more hiding places -- like an overturned box with a hole in it -- there will be less trouble. Sometimes it helps to rearrange the cage so the food and water are not in a corner that one bird decides is his territory.

 

[Ntsees]

I haven't had that pecking happen to me before. Like the above post, I also think your mountain quail might need more room. They should be molting right now and so the pecking is not good for them and the feather growth.

It's nice to know there's another mountain quail breeder like myself. Mountain quail are my favorite.