My 7 months male quail behaves like a pensioner! any thoughts?

[Quail 66]

A few months ago he lost completely interest in the hens. He produces no foam, he was sitting a lot. At first I thought he was ill but he is fine. he eats and drinks, he poops ok. Is it because it's winter now? Will he change again at some point? I added new hens and he got a bit more active but there were constant fights between my favourite ( and my only broody hen) and the new ones. I put them back together and though he gets aggressive some times they are fine, but how will I try to make her hatch if the eggs are not fertile? She hates the new male by the way. I could give her eggs from the other hens, but I like her character and I would rather have her chicks. I miss his gentle character and the way he was trying to please her. Can birds get depressed? (He is the only one that didn't molt by the way). Any ideas?

 

[FloorCandy]

If he isn’t receiving 15 or so hours of light per day, the mating urges and foam go away. Once summer hours of sunlight are provided, naturally or artificially, he will be randy again.

 

[muddy75]

A few months ago he lost completely interest in the hens. He produces no foam, he was sitting a lot. At first I thought he was ill but he is fine. he eats and drinks, he poops ok. Is it because it's winter now? Will he change again at some point? I added new hens and he got a bit more active but there were constant fights between my favourite ( and my only broody hen) and the new ones. I put them back together and though he gets aggressive some times they are fine, but how will I try to make her hatch if the eggs are not fertile? She hates the new male by the way. I could give her eggs from the other hens, but I like her character and I would rather have her chicks. I miss his gentle character and the way he was trying to please her. Can birds get depressed? (He is the only one that didn't molt by the way). Any ideas?

in winter with less daylight etc, quail do slow down their mating activity. there can be less eggs, less crowing, and less foam production. you can try giving more daylight 14-16 hours to see if that improves the situation.

 

[Quail 66]

Thanks a lot to both of you. That's reassuring. I would try that but when he lost it it was still summer and my balcony has day light all day long even now. My other male still mates and at list one of the hens still laying though it's almost winter now. But both of them won't crow any more. I plan to let them rest during winter.