Puffed up Agressive Coturnix

[Woodlebrain]

I have 6 coturnix, all about 8 weeks old, 1 male, 5 female.One of my girls a week ago decided to start mounting the other girls (yes it's a girl & egg laying). I believe she is also responsible for plucking the feathers off the front neck area of most of the other girls. I noticed a few days ago she seems to always have her feathers puffed up, I assumed she was molting as they look spiky all over her head & body but now she seems to stay fluffed up & seems to strut around, puffs her bum feathers even more pushing her wing tips down low to the ground. She is still very active & alert. Wondering if she is ill (causing her to be aggressive) or she's just maintaing an aggressive presence for dominance?

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[bekaboom]

I would love to know the answer to this too! I have a couple of girls who do this and look exactly like your bird with the puffed out chest and feathers down. The only difference is they are 7 weeks and haven't started laying yet. But they are some mean little things. Not sure what's going on.

 

[orumpoultry]

Give her something to hide in. Something just for her. She's either scared of her pen mates or trying to brood. Most likely scared. The more toys, hiding spots, low setting perches, play toys, etc. The better.

-Kate

 

[dc3085]

Often aggressive hens have a wound that is being irritated by the rooster mounting them or sometimes even just sore feet. Check her over for wounds and such, if you find none but the aggression continues you may want to have a dinner party for her. These things minds hang by a fragile string, ive had several just 'lose it' over the years.

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[kingmt]

I can't remember ever having one but remember reading without a male one of the hens taking the role & running around mating the other hens. I don't think I ever had a hen without a male tho.

 

[Woodlebrain]

we have a male, he's made half the girls bald