- Dec 13, 2014
- 14
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Hi,
I'm new to raising quail, and had acquired two 4 week old Japanese quail two weeks ago as pets. They were initially laying well, and enjoying their new house - it's a roomy outside coop and they have plenty of light and shelter. I have put wind breaker/mesh over the wire at the bottom to keep out predators, and a dirt box to scratch in. They love meal worm, so have been feeding lots to them, as well as grits, veges and grains.
However, one has kind of gone a bit loopy, and she pecked the other quail - a white one - so badly that she died. She then started to squawk incessantly, and I put it down to her being lonely, so, (probably stupidly), we were given another 4 quail, 2 brown, one mottled black and white, and another white one.
She has now pecked the new white one on her head again so severely, and she may not survive ( I may have to end her humanely ). She has stopped laying completely now.
I have separated the her from the rest of the girls, the others seem oblivious, but I am fearful of 'cannibalism'.
She is now constantly squawking again, and seems really traumatised. I am not sure what has caused this? Can some one help me? I feel awful and really want her to be happy, but don't want to lose any more of the girls.
What should I do?
Thanks!
Kate
I'm new to raising quail, and had acquired two 4 week old Japanese quail two weeks ago as pets. They were initially laying well, and enjoying their new house - it's a roomy outside coop and they have plenty of light and shelter. I have put wind breaker/mesh over the wire at the bottom to keep out predators, and a dirt box to scratch in. They love meal worm, so have been feeding lots to them, as well as grits, veges and grains.
However, one has kind of gone a bit loopy, and she pecked the other quail - a white one - so badly that she died. She then started to squawk incessantly, and I put it down to her being lonely, so, (probably stupidly), we were given another 4 quail, 2 brown, one mottled black and white, and another white one.
She has now pecked the new white one on her head again so severely, and she may not survive ( I may have to end her humanely ). She has stopped laying completely now.
I have separated the her from the rest of the girls, the others seem oblivious, but I am fearful of 'cannibalism'.
She is now constantly squawking again, and seems really traumatised. I am not sure what has caused this? Can some one help me? I feel awful and really want her to be happy, but don't want to lose any more of the girls.
What should I do?
Thanks!
Kate