Advice on new female and pecking

[Stumars]

Hi all

George our 4 year old has been very lonely. So today I collected a new wife for him who is 1 and half year old.

We introduced them on the living room floor and they ignored each other.

We then cleaned out and deodorised his indoor run.

Put them together and he is trying to hump her or peck her head. Just rotating between them.

Currently I separated the run into 2 so he can't peck her but can see and smell

Any advise please?

 

[Nabiki]

What species of quail? Coturnix? If so, this is normal mating behaviour, and he does not have enough hens, even though he is quite an old guy.

The ideal ratio for coturnix quail is one male to five hens. A single hen will get over bred, which usually leads to injury or death.

Your male is old enough that he might settle down quickly and be okay with a single hen, but you should probably get some more hens for him. When he passes, you can keep a hen only covey with no problems.

 

[Stumars]

Hi thanks, yes they are cortunix.

I don't have the space for more to be honest. After the girls passed we moved house. The outdoor run is smaller now and it's a vivarium for them in the living room for the cold nights.

 

[Nabiki]

It sounds like you may need to keep them separated most of the time, then. It's good that you have them where they can see and hear each other, so they will be less lonely, at least. It's not a great setup, though.

 

[Stumars]

Well it's changed now. She is chasing him and pecking him !

 

[Nabiki]

It sounds like she got tired of his antics. Give them a couple of weeks to see how things shake out, but watch them closely and separate them if they start getting really violent.

 

[Stumars]

It sounds like she got tired of his antics. Give them a couple of weeks to see how things shake out, but watch them closely and separate them if they start getting really violent.

I've had an idea. I put a visual blocker in the way. They can go round it if they want but at the moment they are just sitting either side of it. As long as George doesn't push his luck he might win her over

 

[Nabiki]

Do they not have hiding places? They like small hiding places. The more space and the more hiding places they have, the better. Enough hiding places can also reduce conflict.