Shameful quail behavior

[Xouie]

This is Cricket.

Cricket has become so lazy she won’t jump or walk up to her little spot on my knee (only a few inches by hopping up). She complains and pecks my pants until she gets picked up. No leg or joint problems — she’ll run like heck if she thinks there’s a treat.

Today I only gave her two mealworms and then made her get down. So she went to her feeder and proceeded to fling gamebird chow on the ground. I know she’s just looking for mealworms, but that stuff is a bit pricey and I have to go to tractor supply to get it (kinda far). So I just wanted to vent for a bit. Thanks.

 

[KingD]

Pretty much a toddler

 

[Xouie]

Cricket was in fine form today...

Today, I brought out only a little birdseed and no mealworms. I toss it around the pen so they can scratch around for it. Cricket jumped up into my lap (see, she can do it when she really wants to), pulled out my hair tie, and tried to eat it. I had to fight this little fist-sized monster to get it back.

She’s not really fat, as quail go, but she is very mealworm greedy. I’m starting them on a treat rotation of seed, greens, or mealworms with a no-treat day in between each. They’re so cute it’s really hard not to give in and bring treats every day.