Mourning my male quail 😞

[Marychickyquails]

Two days ago I found a scalped male on the cage with only males i separated two weeks ago. Thinking my oldest quail was the culprit I isolated him and the scalped quail to heal. The next day another scalped quail. At this point I was like who tf. So I took the quail out and only one quail was intact. I figured out This one was the culprit (one of the younger guys). I put the oldest with him and separated the other males so they wouldn’t injure their scalps. Well one of them I had improvised a cage outside. My dachshund is a predator that’s gotten rats and squirrels before… I forgot to tell my husband about the quail and my dachshund got him. I’m so angry and I feel so guilty. I’ve been crying all day.
I wanted to ask if yall knew how I could make my coops more secured. I feel like my dachshund is now obsessed with them and always goes to check them out during his potty breaks.. it’s freaking me out. I feel like he could try to break my coop. (It’s all covered thick wire) I attached a picture of one of the scalped quails. I’m culling the culprit quail.

 

[SmiYa0126]

I'm so sorry! Argh!! As for the dog. I have mine leashed when outside and if he gets too excited about the chickens I tell him no and sometimes push against his nose to change his attention to me from the chickens.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am sorry about your boy. I think most, if not all, of us have felt anger and guilt over the death of birds that we believe we SHOULD have been able to prevent. It can be an extremely painful learning experience.

The doxie likely can't be trusted off lead now that he's discovered the quail. My rescue dogs used to run freely through the fenced yard. Then, a stray cat delivered kittens under my deck. For the protection of the little ones -- who have since been rehomed -- my dogs began to be leashed any time they were outside.

If your outdoor coop is covered in hardware cloth and a sturdy frame, I don't know that your dog could break it. But, I would be concerned that he would frighten an already-traumatized bird.

I hope things begin to get better for you and your quail.

 

[Marychickyquails]

I am sorry about your boy. I think most, if not all, of us have felt anger and guilt over the death of birds that we believe we SHOULD have been able to prevent. It can be an extremely painful learning experience.

The doxie likely can't be trusted off lead now that he's discovered the quail. My rescue dogs used to run freely through the fenced yard. Then, a stray cat delivered kittens under my deck. For the protection of the little ones -- who have since been rehomed -- my dogs began to be leashed any time they were outside.

If your outdoor coop is covered in hardware cloth and a sturdy frame, I don't know that your dog could break it. But, I would be concerned that he would frighten an already-traumatized bird.

I hope things begin to get better for you and your quail.

Thank you, the coop does have the hardware cloth… I’m thinking about maybe adding an extra layer, because he goes straight there everytime we let him out and it makes me nervous. I will look into long leashes to see if I can try the leashing method, so that he stops scaring the birds

 

[Macarter1981]

I’m so sorry for your loss. We can’t possibly predict every outcome of every situation. You loved these guys and devoted your time, attention, affection, and emotion. We all know you’re a good bird mama; try not to be so hard on yourself… not your fault. I know you miss him.