Quail & rabbits (does) together?

[BeckiD]

Rabbits DO eat and digest meat, at least in one particular situation: after a doe rabbit gives birth, she eats the placentas, and sometimes also eats any bunnies that died at birth. (Cleaning the nest so it doesn't attract predators.) She digests them just fine. Pretty much all mammals do something similar.

Yes, rabbits need plenty of plants to stay healthy, but they can also eat and digest meat.

(I don't think the rabbits would try to eat the quail, though.)

This is so wierd that this is my exact scenario!
My doe recently gave birth on Saturday, and today, Monday, I found her- she had killed quail that was in her hutch and was eating it. Does anyone know why? Is it because she lacks protein? What should I feed her?

 

[NatJ]

This is so wierd that this is my exact scenario!
My doe recently gave birth on Saturday, and today, Monday, I found her- she had killed quail that was in her hutch and was eating it. Does anyone know why? Is it because she lacks protein? What should I feed her?

For what to feed her: hay and rabbit-food pellets, and of course plenty of water.

Alfalfa has more protein than other hay, so some of that would be good if she just gave birth and will be nursing bunnies. (Rabbit food pellets sometimes coontain alfalfa too. I would try for pellets with at least 16% protein at this time.)

And obviously, it would be a good idea to remove any other quail that are in the same hutch!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

This is so wierd that this is my exact scenario!
My doe recently gave birth on Saturday, and today, Monday, I found her- she had killed quail that was in her hutch and was eating it. Does anyone know why? Is it because she lacks protein? What should I feed her?

She probably thought it was a threat small enough to handle, and then it was just sitting there so she took the opportunity. They'll do the same thing with dead babies sometimes. My mother used to give the does a smidgen of hamburger, especially new ones, when they were building their nest so they weren't lacking protein

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Alright. No matter what others say, here my view on this whole dealio. Quail DO NOT carry many diseases unlike chickens. If you want to put them with a rabbit, know that there is a risk of sickness (but same with ducks, geese, and chickens and *vualla* I've never lost one due to that). It is a neat idea and the way God designed it. Go for it!

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

I had an 8' x 10' aviary and housed together rabbits, guinea pigs, parakeets, doves, and (temporarily) a bantam rooster all at various times. The only aggression was rabbit to rabbit, and no illness or disease. Right now, I have 3 hens and 1 rabbit in a 60' x 60' yard together. Initially, the hen lowest in the pecking order chased the rabbit, but never harmed him. All of this is usually discouraged by most people. I don't have quail experience, though. If animals have enough space, security, and species-specific amenities, they will usually go on about their normal business without bothering other species. That being said, every animal is behaviorally unique and introductions should be assessed very carefully, always expecting the worst.

View attachment 2464885View attachment 2464886

Incredible! This is so neat to hear!