WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!!

[ladybugchickenfarms]

(At least you solved it!)

 

[007Sean]

I did some research which turned up the conclusion that chick starter is not ideal food for quail. Their conclusion is that 20% protein is fine as long as they are getting the required levels of lysine, methionine and one other component. Unfortunately chick starter does not contain the necessary amounts of lysine and methionine.

I feed all my birds, 24% protein. My feed is custom milled because the feed stores and TSC don't always have what I need, available.
ETA - most 20% feed is considered 'chick grower', 24% and up is considered 'chick starter'.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Every source I've ever found for button quail care says not to put two males together.

 

[007Sean]

I'm just curious why she does the male crow, and the throat balloon thing?

Mimicking

 

[007Sean]

Every source I've ever found for button quail care says not to put two males together.

Your right! Unless the enclosure is hugh, and I mean HUGH, they will fight. I know, been there, done that. Even in a hugh pen they will still fight on occasion.
I do have a community pen (enclosure) of 1 male and 6 females that get along fine.
Whether or not someone else might have the same results? you'd just have to try it and find out....I'm not recommending that anyone try a community pen, though.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I once found a stray egg buried in my Coturnix's outside enclosure about a month and a half after they quit laying for the winter. It didn't stink and showed no signs of development.
You might just have a really old egg.

(Also totally excited to see you solve this mystery!)

Ugh. I "was" exited.

Every source I've ever found for button quail care says not to put two males together.

well... It's not true as long as they are in pairs of 2 with no female.

Mimicking

how come my hen upstairs doesn't do it?

Your right! Unless the enclosure is hugh, and I mean HUGH, they will fight. I know, been there, done that. Even in a hugh pen they will still fight on occasion.
I do have a community pen (enclosure) of 1 male and 6 females that get along fine.
Whether or not someone else might have the same results? you'd just have to try it and find out....I'm not recommending that anyone try a community pen, though.

not a community pen, but they get along great if it is just 2 paired males with no female. Also, 20% is the highest protein I can get.

 

[007Sean]

Ugh. I "was" exited. well... It's not true as long as they are in pairs of 2 with no female.

how come my hen upstairs doesn't do it?

not a community pen, but they get along great if it is just 2 paired males with no female. Also, 20% is the highest protein I can get.

I've had just males together too! And they did fight, no females around.
As I always say, not everyone will have the same experinces with identical setups. Different birds have different personalities, just like people.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you can't get higher protein feed, supplement with extra protein. Dried mealworms are good for that.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I've had just males together too! And they did fight, no females around.
As I always say, not everyone will have the same experinces with identical setups. Different birds have different personalities, just like people.

how many males?

If you can't get higher protein feed, supplement with extra protein. Dried mealworms are good for that.

I do.

 

[007Sean]

Cat kibble is an excellent source of extra protien, it usually runs 30% protein.