Roo fixated on one hen

[Quailwhatdoyaknow]

I just learned this the hard way. A once-docile button roo scalped his hen on a dime, in the middle of the shoulders (?) too. She looks so bad. Not eating, not drinking, terrified of leaving her teepee hiding space even though she’s alone in there. I can’t place a rooster because there’s no feathers to grab on the neck, and only two hens that are paired happily with their man. I’m force-feeding with water and formula “superfood,” but not sure how much to give. I really hope she makes it.

I used neosporin on the wound my bird had. Wether or not you are supposed to use that on birds idk… but it seemed to have really helped keep the spot clean and it did not get infected.

 

[yakitori]

I just learned this the hard way. A once-docile button roo scalped his hen on a dime, in the middle of the shoulders (?) too. She looks so bad. Not eating, not drinking, terrified of leaving her teepee hiding space even though she’s alone in there. I can’t place a rooster because there’s no feathers to grab on the neck, and only two hens that are paired happily with their man. I’m force-feeding with water and formula “superfood,” but not sure how much to give. I really hope she makes it.

Oh nooo, sorry to hear. I know nothing about button quails, but all the cortunixes in the past that I’ve had scalped sprung right back. My scalped female grew all her feathers back and you cant tell she’s ever been scalped. I had the male isolated for a few weeks, then let him out last week for a trial run, he’s a lot more docile now. I’m hoping it stays that way!

 

[Nabiki]

I used neosporin on the wound my bird had. Wether or not you are supposed to use that on birds idk… but it seemed to have really helped keep the spot clean and it did not get infected.

Neosporin is fine as long as there is no pain killer in it. The common pain killers in anti-bacterial ointments are toxic to birds.

 

[Quailwhatdoyaknow]

Neosporin is fine as long as there is no pain killer in it. The common pain killers in anti-bacterial ointments are toxic to birds.

Good to know. She got over the wound fast and have had no ill effects. I can’t even tell you which one had it now because they look so similar

 

[pac]

So how bald is too bald?
No blood, but she's bald.

I'm guessing I should remove all the roos?
I knew the poor ratio (2 hens:3 roos) was going to catch up to me. I was hoping the new batch would be ready to go in with them before anything started.
The roos haven't been after each other anyway.

 

[pac]

I'd still like to know if that's normal wear and tear,
But I did move two of the roos. The amorous one and another that was close by.


I put them in the other hutch below.
I may end up moving the third one also, but with mature hens above them we'll see what happens. The one was large and beautiful. I wouldn't mind keeping him around.
Maybe I'll get another cat cage ready.

We'll have to see what happens with this last hatch. Which isn't starting out very promising.

 

[Nabiki]

Your hen doesn't look too bad yet, but now that her feathers are gone, blood will soon follow. Once the blood starts, the pecking becomes worse.

 

[pac]

Thanks, @Nabiki
The other hen looks the same way. Maybe a little worse as it's down her neck a little.

I moved the third roo.
Boy he was a feisty one.

But on the positive side, at least I know the last few eggs I gathered are fertile

 

[WildNectarine]

I had to cull one of my roo’s. It was like a light switch one morning. He started crowing non stop and beating up my hens. I was not going to put up with that. My only roo now is a big softy. He hardly ever messes with the hens and crows only in the morning. But I am keeping my eye on him as I’ve learned they can turn on a dime.

Next time, if you have the space and want to keep the roo, just separate him and give him a plush friend. I raise all my quail alone like this, and only bring them together for short periods for breeding, why? Because Coturnix, they don’t “need” other quail, that’s just not true, think about it, half of the posts on here are about birds having fights, and that’s because most quail only live in coveys in the winter, not during the volatile breeding season, and coturnix, they aren’t social the way other animals are, they don’t make “friends” or have close pair bonds like other species of quail, which is another reason why birds like buttons will fight, is because they actually do pair-bond and people will add too many birds, but what do quail actually socially do for each other that they need? They don’t preen each other, all they do is mate. They just don’t want to be the only bird if a predator comes, is my theory. And my roosters? They never crow with the plushes, never pace, never pluck, they will fight me to defend their plushes when I have to wash them. So, plushes.

 

[Quailwhatdoyaknow]

Next time, if you have the space and want to keep the roo, just separate him and give him a plush friend. I raise all my quail alone like this, and only bring them together for short periods for breeding, why? Because Coturnix, they don’t “need” other quail, that’s just not true, think about it, half of the posts on here are about birds having fights, and that’s because most quail only live in coveys in the winter, not during the volatile breeding season, and coturnix, they aren’t social the way other animals are, they don’t make “friends” or have close pair bonds like other species of quail, which is another reason why birds like buttons will fight, is because they actually do pair-bond and people will add too many birds, but what do quail actually socially do for each other that they need? They don’t preen each other, all they do is mate. They just don’t want to be the only bird if a predator comes, is my theory. And my roosters? They never crow with the plushes, never pace, never pluck, they will fight me to defend their plushes when I have to wash them. So, plushes.

I’m highly considering keeping them separated. I don’t want to put them back together and with a hour have the same issue of fighting. They get very territorial against each other.