Quail - why so quiet?

[Florence NightingQuail]

My little covey was always, until recently, quite vocal. The boys crowed authoritatively, the girls sang and clucked gently as they went about their business. But the last few days, there’s barely a sound from any of them. No sudden environmental change to deal with, except that breeding behaviour has just started. Otherwise all seem happy and healthy. Is this a normal puberty phase thing for Japanese quails? Are they all tortured adolescents now??

 

[FloorCandy]

Mine were louder and rowdier as chicks. As adults I only have one loud bird, the pen usually sounds like crickets, and one excessive crower.

 

[Florence NightingQuail]

Oh, so maybe they’re just growing up... thanks!

 

[Quailobsessed]

A quiet covey can also be a sign of a happy one.

 

[Florence NightingQuail]

I’m going to take that and run with it - they really do seem happy in there, in honesty!

 

[Ravenlover]

Mine were louder and rowdier as chicks. As adults I only have one loud bird, the pen usually sounds like crickets, and one excessive crower.

Sounds like humans when they grow up

 

[Nabiki]

Quail do tend to be quieter when they're happy, and they also settle down as they mature.

 

[Florence NightingQuail]

Well, they MUST be maturing - look what I found today! It’s the first egg! I’m so excited its like I may as well have laid it myself!

 

[FloorCandy]

The first egg is so eggciting!

 

[Florence NightingQuail]

It’s eggcellent!