[The Woodsiders]

Hi all, would like some advice please, I purchased 2 Japanese Quail, a cock and a hen at the weekend they were in a gage together and were calm, I got them home without a problem, all calm the next day then I put them both into a larger home and the cock bird started to get amorous in doing so he would not let go of the hens neck and drew blood, I then separated them whilst things calmed down, I spoke to the seller, who has a poultry farm and obviously not an amateur, she sugessted putting another hen in with him along with the original hen, did so, he went berserk with both of them for a short while and then started on the original hen again, this time drawing a lot of blood, I have left the 2 hens in together and put him in a separate cage, has anyone ideas as to what I can do. Your advice would be appreciated, the breeder has offered to replace him for me but I am puzzled as to why they should get on togather one minute and draw blood the next.
Mark

[Clarebelle]

I have only just started keeping quail so all i know has been what ive read but I think that it is quite common for quail to be aggressive, including the male drawing blood when mounting the hens. One of the ways to prevent this is having more hens to one cock, 1:1 or even the 1:2 ratio you have now is too low, you need more hens to spread the burden.

Also, when introducing new birds to your flock I believe you need to treat it much the same as chickens, i.e. house the birds seperatly but within view of eachother so that they can adapt without actually hurting eachother. After a couple of weeks you can then try to put them in together.

Other ways to stop aggression is to enrich their cage with logs/hanging CDs, dustbaths and hiding places to prevent boredom which can also lead to aggression. To be honest, I am really suprised you were sold only one hen and cock.

[The Woodsiders]

Hi Clarabelle, thank you for your response, I have been reading up as well, one suggestion has been  the change of feed, I was giving them layers mash but have been advised to change to chick crumbs which I have done, the cock is in a cage next to the 2 hens but cannot see them, the original hen is in a larger cage with the new hen, they get on ok but she keeps flying round the cage and then runs around like a lunatic.
Thanks again for your advice, I will introduce some more hens and add a few distractions for them, will let you know progress.

[Pasture Farm]

5 or  6 hens to one cock    best to keep ten hens and 2 cocks together this way theres always to much going on to fight 

[lokismum]

it is just a quail thing
he will hold on to her head/neck feathers as they mate
and of course she runs away minus some feathers
more hens will mean hes not constantly just trying to mate her
busy boys quail

used to have the in the bottom of my aviary's to clean up after the birds
never thought of using them for anything but hovers
kids used to love the eggs

[The Woodsiders]

Thanks for your responses, going to get some more hens to keep him busy. Thanks again

[Pasture Farm]

Quail are no more aggressive than chickens the difference is the skin on the back of a quails head is very fragile and thin and easily torn (male or female) it is the way they mate just the same as chickens that makes a mess of their backs and head feathers. If the females are looking worse for wear take the cock out for a while.