Problem Quail

[Lilyofsalen]

I have this tuxedo from my most recent grow outs (I think it is male but it's still not matured). It is getting picked on by my only wild-type male. This morning I watched the wildtype come out of nowhere and rip a bunch of feathers out of its chest and throat. I don't understand, the wildtype gets along with everyone else but when he sees this bird even out the corner of his eye, he goes of his way to chase it down. He doesn't pick on the other males either. How is it that he seems to have it out for one bird? Is this just breeding behavior gone wrong? Will getting rid of the wildtype solve the issue or will another bird start to beat up on the poor thing?

Here's a picture of the tuxedo hiding:

And a picture of its chunk of missing feathers right at the base of the neck:

 

[Nabiki]

Sounds like this one might be a male. Coturnix quail are pretty territorial, and males will fight. Hens will pick on each other sometimes too. I've also noticed that they can be racist little things too, and will often pick on one if it's a different colour.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

Ok, what I don't understand though is that the wildtype isn't picking on the other males not even the newly matured male grow outs (of which there are 4). Would removing the wildtype stop the tuxedo from being bullied or will another male bird start the bullying all over again? Who do I get rid of?

Also, for some background, I've noticed the tuxedo seems to like being off by itself. When it was in the grow-out pen, it would lay in a hiding spot by itself. When I introduced the grow outs to the adults, this one was really freaked out. Does this personality make it a target or a bird that may become a problem itself?

 

[FloorCandy]

Ive had birds that just wouldn’t get along, but they didn’t discriminate by gender, they just lashed out at ones they didn’t like. I culled the trouble makers, because I don’t need someone who behaves that way no matter what. In my group once the trouble makers were gone, the issues stopped, there may be some squabbling for a couple days, as they establish a new pecking order.

as for why they hate that one bird, it could be anything. As nabiki said, sometimes they target one who looks different. Perhaps he tried to climb the pecking order at some point and just made an enemy. Maybe he just got caught near someone’s favorite hen. Who knows?

 

[Nabiki]

Ok, what I don't understand though is that the wildtype isn't picking on the other males not even the newly matured male grow outs (of which there are 4). Would removing the wildtype stop the tuxedo from being bullied or will another male bird start the bullying all over again? Who do I get rid of?

Also, for some background, I've noticed the tuxedo seems to like being off by itself. When it was in the grow-out pen, it would lay in a hiding spot by itself. When I introduced the grow outs to the adults, this one was really freaked out. Does this personality make it a target or a bird that may become a problem itself?

Each bird has their own personality. I would try removing the one picking on him for a day and see what happens. He may calm down when you put him back in, he may not. If he doesn't, you may need to choose which one to keep.

 

[Ravenlover]

Or keep that one as a house pet that or cull bully

 

[Nabiki]

Or keep that one as a house pet that or cull bully

Quail don't do well alone. Even as a house pet with a lot of attention, I have a hard time believing that he would be happy.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Is it the only tuxedo? I've learned (with one exception put of ten now) that they'll always be targets unless the whole flock is tuxedo

 

[Nabiki]

Is it the only tuxedo? I've learned (with one exception put of ten now) that they'll always be targets unless the whole flock is tuxedo

They'll pick on any one that is a different colour. I had a customer with all light coloured birds except for one. I had to replace the dark bird with another light one because it was getting picked on. They were fine with the new light one.

 

[Lilyofsalen]

I have tuxedos, white birds, and Tibetans. A big mixed flock of colors in an 80 square feet aviary style enclosure. The only thing I can think of is that the wildtype came from a bloodline that I noticed had aggression issues. I culled the other male from that line at nearly 5 weeks old after I put him in with the adults at 3 weeks (because he was going after all the other grow outs).

Aside from that fella and another from my first 12 quail ever, I have never had an issue with aggression. If I did, I saw it coming early on. The issue that I'm having with the tuxedo and wildtype right now has me puzzled because all was fine until the wildtype decided it wasn't. It just makes me scratch my head.

I've placed the bully in a little cat carrier inside the aviary so I can see what happens when he can't pick on the poor tuxedo. And if he is pulled from the flock he will go to the freezer. I already have a pet bearded dragon whom I love.

The poor tuxedo still hasn't come out of hiding, I've seen him eat and drink at least. He acts like something is going to get him the moment his guard is down and a light peck of displeasure/angry noise from another quail sends him flapping and crying.