Pecking/bullying question

[Missespenaloza]

I've only been keeping quail since July, but I seem to have a bully or two? I know that some of the injuries are probably from overbreeding because some of the injuries are on the backs of their heads. But, I seem to have some from bullying. I now have three birds in booboo quarantine and one lost an eye. Is there a way to prevent bullying from starting? Is sq ft per bird a factor? Is boredom a factor? I'm not against culling a bully, but it is really hard to figure out who it is. I asked one person how to keep them from bullying each other and she said to keep them in cages with 3 hens and 1 rooster. I've kept a slightly higher ratio of 4 or 5 to a rooster. But, I've watched a youtube video where a guy keeps 30 in a 2x4ish foot cage with a ratio of about 25/5 and he doesn't seem to have a problem. Any thoughts on how to help my birds live peaceful and productive life? Thanks in advance. =)

 

[Nabiki]

Space matters. Enrichment and hiding places matter. There are people who keep crowded pens, but those are usually commercial breeders, not people who care too much about the quality of life for their birds.

More space and more hiding places may help, or you might just have a bully.

 

[Xouie]

I have a largish pen 6x8 I think, and somewhere around 45 birds. Some grass/brush piles and hidey holes (buckets) slow down bullies and overeager roos. Once in a while somebody gets punchy with everybody else, but all their targets have spaces to run and hide.

Entrance to “the cave”. There is a kid's picnic table covered by a fleece blanket under/behind the dry grass. Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[FloorCandy]

Are they Coturnix quail?

My main pen has 15 hens and 3 Roos in about 24 sq ft. They have a lot of hiding places, 2 food dispensers, and they are on the ground so they can dig and chase bugs and stuff. I generally don’t have problems, an occasional bully. I have one who I’m culling tonight, but he didn’t injure anyone, and heaven forbid a lost eye! He’s just uppity and gets everyone else excited, so he’s waiting for daddy to get home to help me do the deed. I think sometimes birds in very close quarters give the impression of getting along, but really they have just kind of given up.

You will want to keep about 3-5 hens per roo. Even with good numbers, sometimes hens are the issue. Hens can be angry and territorial, and will attacks Roos they don’t like if they try to mate. I would watch if I were you, to see who is starting the trouble.

 

[Quailobsessed]

The more space you give them, the less likely they are to fight. Every bird has their own birdonality. Some just won't get along for whatever reason (kind of like humans).