/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Quail behavior - tucking hay into feathers

Discussion in 'Quail' started by gorabbitgo, Sep 12, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 12, 2012 #1
    gorabbitgo

    gorabbitgo Chillin' With My Peeps

    124
    11
    91
    Sep 9, 2012
    I have a few 5-6 week old buttons and i noticed one of my little hens tossing hay around the other day looking for treats. Then she stopped tossing the hay around and started tucking it into the feathers on her back, then she shook it all loose.
    Has anyone else seen their quail do this?
    Is this an early attempt at carrying nesting material, as some other birds do? Or was she just being goofy?
     
  3. Sep 12, 2012 #2
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Show me the way old friend... Staff Member

    31,928
    4,437
    581
    Mar 21, 2011
    New Mexico, USA
    My Coop
    I have seen my Lovebirds do this...carrying nesting material under their wings. They start just as your button quail did, throwing the material over the shoulder and eventually start packing it under the wings. Female behavior only. Completely normal. :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2012

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by