Keeping male quail separate most of the time?

[bobd400]

Good day everyone. Been keeping Coturnix quail for a few years now. Have found that, generally, the "optimal" ratio (female to male) is indeed 4 or 5 to 1. I have had success with less (even in pairs or trios), but it's hit and miss with the lower ratios.

Unfortunately, sometimes (not by choice) I can't keep this ratio and have run into the issue of the male over-breeding and being too aggressive to the point of physical harm to the female. Naturally at that point I remove him.

My question...how would it work if I kept the males separate from the females most of the time, and only put them together for a short period (days to weeks) when I wanted fertile eggs for incubation? I assume even if he's overly aggressive for a few days it would be minimal harm, and keep the females safe and healthy. Conversely if the females are aggressive to him, it would be minimal together time.

Thanks in advance for any experience or advice you may have to offer!

 

[sourland]

Not certain how it works with quail, but chickens can maintain high fertility up to two weeks after removal of a rooster and moderate to some fertility for up to four weeks.

 

[Nabiki]

It will probably work fine for fertility. Your male is likely to be unhappy, however. They are social and often don't thrive when kept alone.

 

[bobd400]

Not certain how it works with quail, but chickens can maintain high fertility up to two weeks after removal of a rooster and moderate to some fertility for up to four weeks.

interesting...I'll have to check if that's the case with quail...

 

[bobd400]

It will probably work fine for fertility. Your male is likely to be unhappy, however. They are social and often don't thrive when kept alone.

Thank you. Understand completely, I'd prefer not to keep him separate, but my females were getting pretty beat up where I'm concerned about their health/life. The lesser of two evils I guess.

 

[Nabiki]

Thank you. Understand completely, I'd prefer not to keep him separate, but my females were getting pretty beat up where I'm concerned about their health/life. The lesser of two evils I guess.

I understand. You know the ideal ratio and are trying to protect your hens when you have an over enthusiastic male.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

Tried it myself. No one dies when the males are separated, but there's a lot of screaming and pacing going on. Have told myself I just need to be less greedy and if I don't have enough cages, cull.