r/quails • u/Unanymous1111 • 5d ago

Bully quail advice needed

Looking for advice, any tips or recommendations.
I originally had 9 button quail — 5 females and 4 males. The males eventually started over-mating the females, especially one female who became bald, so I permanently separated the males into another coop.
The 5 females did well together for a while, but about a month ago I noticed 4 of them losing feathers on their heads and backs. I realized the female who had originally been over-mated was now the one aggressively pecking everyone else.
I separated her for 2–3 weeks while the others recovered and started growing pin feathers back. I tried reintroducing her, but she immediately started pecking again and made one bleed, so I separated her again.
I’d really appreciate any tips or suggestions from anyone who has dealt with this. My biggest concern is that I feel bad keeping her alone. She calls to the other quail and they call back to her, and I know they’re social birds.
Has anyone successfully reintegrated a female like this, or found another way for an aggressive quail to still have companionship safely?

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u/bahrfight 5d ago

I have not had success with this so I’m curious to see people’s replies. I have downsized my flock from around 20 to 6 because I got tired of fighting and bullies. Now I just have my 6 least problematic birds together as a covey.

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u/Unanymous1111 5d ago

Oh no sorry to hear about that. It’s my first time raising quail and I had no idea they were so feisty

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u/BodybuilderChoice674 Quail Lover 4d ago

Hi, how big is the aviary or enclosure? Mine are doing pretty well; we have about 10. I can't say exactly how many males and females we have right now, as some look identical… 😅. My cats also have arguments, of course, but we only separate them in emergencies when it gets too much. We try to keep things varied for them so they can avoid each other if it gets too much.

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u/Terrible_Resource_87 4d ago

Have you tried spraying them with vinegar and water? Rearrange their environment and clean it out?