The Loner

[Payroll]

Here's a new outside cage photo, with my old "divider with a door" turned upside down to limit access between the two sets of birds. I need to play around with the wrap around the cage, as it covers only half the cage. The intent was to give them a sheltered section, but even on rainy days they are out in the open area (the "porch"). I guess they have a need to see predators approaching? Maybe if I make the opening in the divider a LOT wider, then they will hide there more.



After having one of my birds fly ALL the way across my very large yard to smash into the side of my house (have they NO ability to steer?!), I decided to cut the flight feathers on one wing on all my birds and have never regretted it. I've read it's like cutting fingernails and they certainly didn't mind having their feathers cut.

PDawson1983: With my new birds I thought they wouldn't be able to jump out, being only 3 weeks old, but within 10 minutes of puttering around with the cage open one had popped out and was chirping for its buddies. The new ones hated having their feathers cut, but that's probably because I had to hold them VERY firmly and open one wing. They don't like being held. As well, I added a "bird door" since I like to let them out to run around my yard for at least 30 minutes every day. I stay with them to keep the neighborhood cats away.

PDawson1983: You can't see it, but there is also a 2-inch "lip" of wire stretching out from the bottom of the cage onto the grass. I had a (cat/weasel?) something squeeze under the cage and kill my birds last year, so I added the lip at the bottom of the new cage so they couldn't dig in. And hubby kindly provided me with a handle for easier hauling around the yard.

Heck, I'll just grab a quick photo: Sorry about the full sun. It's morning here. In about an hour that cage will be in the shade from my huge trees overhead. Not sure if you can see the handle.




Here's my inside cage set-up, since at three-weeks old I'm not comfortable leaving them in the outside cage at night while I'm on holidays for 2 weeks. They are still missing a few feathers. I have someone checking on them daily, but it's a bit much to ask them to move the birds inside and outside every morning and night.



I'm going to take out the cardboard divider and stick in a wire mesh screen so they can get used to each other while I'm gone.

It's fun to tweak around with their cages in an effort to get the "perfect" set-up. I'm quite enjoying it.

 

[Quailsong]

Yep, a divider they can see through is more beneficial. They'll need to integrate & figure out pecking order. Much easier if they can see who is who rather than just hearing.

Oh dear, you're leaving them alone for two weeks? Might be good to have a pet sitter or someone to check on them every few days. Any family member or neighbour who can just take a peek? If one of them starts fighting you may come home to quail injured or worse conditions.

Normally I don't think it'd be much a concern with older & settled-in quail. But, the little ones are a new addition & 2 weeks means they'll be adults when you return.

 

[pdawson1983]

Thanks for the info Payroll.
I really like your design and will probably use elements in my own designs.

 

[Payroll]

Quailsong: Not to worry, I have an adult with livestock experience checking them daily.

Yes, I was quite concerned when I realized I was going to be integrating new birds with old while I was out of town. I originally had a teenager stopping in, but I realized I would feel more comfortable with someone with a bit of animal experience.

 

[Quailsong]

Quailsong: Not to worry, I have an adult with livestock experience checking them daily.

Yes, I was quite concerned when I realized I was going to be integrating new birds with old while I was out of town. I originally had a teenager stopping in, but I realized I would feel more comfortable with someone with a bit of animal experience.

That is just perfect and wonderful to read. I'm glad you're giving so much care for them.^^

 

[Payroll]

Two-week vacation is done and all 4 birds have survived. I had a last minute change and stuck them in the cooler garage, since the temperatures were supposed to spike while we were on holidays.

Now to start taming them. Lots of holding the birds and catching insects and hand-feeding the birds. The aggression between the old and new seems to have died down. They no longer immediately attack each other. Hopefully I've seen the last of it.

They sure do grow fast. I almost can't tell the difference between the old and new birds.

 

[Payroll]

One of my four birds has proven himself to be a male by crowing.

Since I don't have enough females, when is a good age to butcher? He is currently 5 weeks old.

 

[HowieNZ]

Anytime in the next few weeks would fine.

 

[Sycamore27]

8 weeks seems to be the typical age, but between 6 and 12 weeks is the normal range. It depends how big you want to grow him out versus how long you want to feed him/how much you care if he's a bit tough when you eat him.

The one I have butchered was about 13 weeks old and was a bit tough according to be BF but fine by my standards.

Cheers,
Jessie

 

[Payroll]

Poor birdies!

I went outside this morning to find their cage turned sideways and the wrap ripped off. Everything inside the cage was upset.

Upon further investigation I discovered one of my gates had been left open, so I'm guessing a dog got in.

Two birds of my three birds have the feathers ripped off on the tops of their heads, not sure why unless one of the birds got aggressive with all the excitement. After spraying their heads liberally with Blue Cote, I am left with a blue hand and some disturbed birds.

THANK GOD HUBBY MADE THE CAGE LIKE FORT KNOX. I thought it was overkill, but apparently not. The cage may have been turned sideways and the dog tried to rip through the wire, but WITHOUT SUCCESS!


Too bad I didn't think to get a picture of the cage all sideways, but I was more concerned about the birds.

I have replaced the brown housewrap with blue.

How can I make the birds feel better? They don't even want mealworm treats right now. I stuck a sand bath in there, which they usually love, but they are ignoring it.

I do have the option to put them in the inside cage, in the house, but another transition may upset them more. Do I leave them outside to calm down, or move them inside to monitor their injuries (lack of head feathers, possible further aggression)?