Quails seem panicked after moving to outdoor coop

[quailbrau]

For Christmas 2018, we were given 3 Courtinex baby quails, maybe 1 week old. For about 8 weeks they lived in a large cardboard box (2ft x 2 ft x 6ft) in our garage until they were adult size. We handled them every day, fed them from our hands and they seemed to be used to us being around them and holding them. One was always a bit on the wild side and didn't like to be held, too much.
Finally, we bought/built a chicken coop for them (pictured) and thought they would love having access to outdoors, etc. However, every time we come by the coop, the wild one starts darting back and forth, pecking constantly at the wire, trying to fly, and generally seems to be in a crazed panic. It even hurt itself as evidence of blood on it's beak. He/she does this even when we are perfectly still and quiet. The other two were fine, but have now taken on this behavior as of late. Any ideas on what might be causing this or how to remedy?
The other question is how to get them to use the ramp. One of them is a pro at it, but the others seem to have no idea. We've added meal worms to each step to entice them, but doesn't work. Thanks for any advice/insight!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

For Christmas 2018, we were given 3 Courtinex baby quails, maybe 1 week old. For about 8 weeks they lived in a large cardboard box (2ft x 2 ft x 6ft) in our garage until they were adult size. We handled them every day, fed them from our hands and they seemed to be used to us being around them and holding them. One was always a bit on the wild side and didn't like to be held, too much.
Finally, we bought/built a chicken coop for them (pictured) and thought they would love having access to outdoors, etc. However, every time we come by the coop, the wild one starts darting back and forth, pecking constantly at the wire, trying to fly, and generally seems to be in a crazed panic. It even hurt itself as evidence of blood on it's beak. He/she does this even when we are perfectly still and quiet. The other two were fine, but have now taken on this behavior as of late. Any ideas on what might be causing this or how to remedy?
The other question is how to get them to use the ramp. One of them is a pro at it, but the others seem to have no idea. We've added meal worms to each step to entice them, but doesn't work. Thanks for any advice/insight!

You can put little shiny red blocks on the ramp to encourage them the climb up. Not only will the blocks encourage them, it also helps them climb up.

@casportpony
I don't know why the quail is freaking out.. He will probably get used to it.

 

[sylviethecochin]

@007Sean @TwoCrows @Hope Hughes any idea why quail would act like that?

 

[JurassicBawk]

If they've always been in an enclosed space and now suddenly have lots of room, they're probably just freaked out from feeling exposed and unprotected. Quail are ground birds and don't do well when they feel nervous, which per the behavior yours has is what I assume is going on. Mine do that when they get nervous, and will hurt themselves if not careful. Quail aren't really meant for a coop, as they don't really go up ramps or roost and like to feel safe on the ground. They're best kept in aviaries or hutches, either 1' of height or more than 4' of height. That way they don't have enough momentum or have enough space not to bonk their heads and hurt themselves if/when they fly up out of fear or excitement.

Try putting a small box/house that they can get into on the ground and see if they'll go inside it and calm down. I've had some quail learn to use a ramp when I put them in a small rabbit hutch, but they weren't keen on it. I have mine in a large long rabbit hutch that's off the ground but still give them little houses to get into for security. I think if you did that, they'd probably settle. And/or block off some of the sides of the coop somehow so they don't feel as open and exposed. Just a regular smallish brown box with one side cut out and with the top/open side down on the ground should work. Or a big pile of leaves/hay they can hide in.

 

[Broodygranny]

If they've always been in an enclosed space and now suddenly have lots of room, they're probably just freaked out from feeling exposed and unprotected. Quail are ground birds and don't do well when they feel nervous, which per the behavior yours has is what I assume is going on. Mine do that when they get nervous, and will hurt themselves if not careful. Quail aren't really meant for a coop, as they don't really go up ramps or roost and like to feel safe on the ground. They're best kept in aviaries or hutches, either 1' of height or more than 4' of height. That way they don't have enough momentum or have enough space not to bonk their heads and hurt themselves if/when they fly up out of fear or excitement.

Try putting a small box/house that they can get into on the ground and see if they'll go inside it and calm down. I've had some quail learn to use a ramp when I put them in a small rabbit hutch, but they weren't keen on it. I have mine in a large long rabbit hutch that's off the ground but still give them little houses to get into for security. I think if you did that, they'd probably settle. And/or block off some of the sides of the coop somehow so they don't feel as open and exposed. Just a regular smallish brown box with one side cut out and with the top/open side down on the ground should work. Or a big pile of leaves/hay they can hide in.

i agree! They may just need a spot or two for hiding. Ground birds like to hide in cover, and may feel a bit nervous out in the open.

 

[TwoCrows]

I agree with the above posts. They are not used to their new area and will take a while to become comfortable. Quail can be nervous birds at times. You might add some fake foliage to the coop and run so they have hidey places and feel safe. The one that is panicked probably feels vulnerable. If you have any old fake Christmas Trees you can lay it down in the run so they can hide among the bows. I did this in my aviary for my quail and they were in heaven! In the wild, quail linger all day under brush, so try and give them the same atmosphere.

They will at some point venture down the ramp. It's not that they can't or wont, they are just too scared to do so right now. Give them time, leave the door open, and they will go down at some point. You may need to either train them to go back up at night or physically put them in at night, if you want them in. My quail lived outside in the aviary all summer long, however other times of year they climbed the ramp into a coop as well. I had so many of them I had to "clicker" train them to all go in if I needed them inside for any reason.

So, just give them time. Don't rush them to come out and definitely give them hidey places in the coop with some foliage. You can use fresh cut stuff, however make sure not to cut any boughs where wild birds hang out lest you bring in cooties and bugs.

Good luck!

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh and make sure the bottom of the run area is predator proof, dig proof, tear up the wire proof. Everything eats quail and they have a lot of time on their hands to get in.

 

[Danny C.]

For Christmas 2018, we were given 3 Courtinex baby quails, maybe 1 week old. For about 8 weeks they lived in a large cardboard box (2ft x 2 ft x 6ft) in our garage until they were adult size. We handled them every day, fed them from our hands and they seemed to be used to us being around them and holding them. One was always a bit on the wild side and didn't like to be held, too much.
Finally, we bought/built a chicken coop for them (pictured) and thought they would love having access to outdoors, etc. However, every time we come by the coop, the wild one starts darting back and forth, pecking constantly at the wire, trying to fly, and generally seems to be in a crazed panic. It even hurt itself as evidence of blood on it's beak. He/she does this even when we are perfectly still and quiet. The other two were fine, but have now taken on this behavior as of late. Any ideas on what might be causing this or how to remedy?
The other question is how to get them to use the ramp. One of them is a pro at it, but the others seem to have no idea. We've added meal worms to each step to entice them, but doesn't work. Thanks for any advice/insight!

Looks like a great start to me. Future comments will talk about ground cover, bottom security, etc. Here is what I found out after training mine to go up and down ramp, in and out of coop. They slid down the wooden ramp so had to lay down some outdoor carpet between wooden grips. Here is pic of my ramp.

 

[007Sean]

I agree with @TwoCrows , one other thing is standing next to the enclosure watching them freaking out is compounding that reaction. They think you are a predator and are trying to get away. The only one that use to freak out, has had an impact on the others, and now that their in a bigger enclosure they too are 'freaking' out. Pull up a lawn chair and sit a little ways away from the pen everyday until you eventually get them use to you being around...use treats to help them get use to you.

 

[Hope Hughes]

I agree with all that was said. I have moved mine 3 times. And they didnt like any of the times. It took them a little bit to get adjusted to it.

I would definitely sit in or outside of the coop as much as you can. I cant help with the ramp because mine lived on the ground and now that i only have a little over a dz they are in a above ground cage. Quails are jumpy just give them time.