Total newbie general questions

[Torylou]

hi!
I acquired some Chinese painted quail at the weekend. I don't think that they were kept in great conditions- clumpy feet and ammonia smells . I'm already used to looking after chickens and other animals,. Is there anything in particular I need to know about them, that is unique to coq please. I've been reading up in their care, so am getting an idea.
By biggest issue is that there are 2 males 2 females. Do the boys need to be split? I'm also getting conflicting advice on whether they live as monogamous pairs or in trios/quartets. What do you guys find works best?
Also they all have bald backs boys and girls. Is this as a result of bullying or boredom due to poor conditions ?


Thanks in advance for your help
Torylou x

 

[Marigold]

Hi Torylou and a big welcome to the Forum. Well done for taking on these quail, it sounds as if they've been quite badly neglected, doesn't it?
When I started keeping quails I found it was a steep learning curve after chickens, they are very different in their habits. I expect others will be able to advise you more about CPQs as I've only had Coturnix, but the basic principles of good care are the same.
I think you will have to address the balance of the sexes in this group - it may be that the damaged backs on the females are because of over- mating and usually it's advised to keep a group with one male and 2-4 females to spread the load. Ideally each male would have his group in a separate cage, but if there doesn't appear to be any fighting maybe this group has settled together and the addition of a couple more females may solve the problem (or may make it worse if the males start competing for the new girls attentions.) If the males also have damaged backs it may be due to fighting, or even maybe to malnutrition. You will just have to watch and observe and see how they get on. Are the girls laying? Unless they've been given extra light, it's quite likely they have stopped now for the winter, and this may calm the males down as well as they won't be in breeding condition either.
Quails need a higher protein diet than chickens, and you can give them a mixture of chick crumb, layers pellets and mixed bird seed, supplemented by mealworms and fresh greens, which they love. Mine really go for Romaine lettuce and eat a surprising amount every day.
You will have to gently bathe their feet in warm water to soften the poo balls and then gently pick them off, being very careful not to force this process as you might pull off a toenail if the poo hasn't softened properly. If you keep them on clean woodshavings or Aubiose, and check their feet regularly, you should be able to keep the problem under control. Yes quail do smell more than chickens, I think the high protein diet probably makes their manure more concentrated, and they need litter changing quite often as the poos are too small and squidgy for you to be able to poo pick as is possible with chickens.
I wonder if you came across this useful new book http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1847974635/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1847974635&linkCode=as2&tag=poultrykeeperforum-21
Which is largely about coturnix, but as i said, the basics are the same for all quail species and it may give you some good ideas on social organisation and housing etc. If kept outside they can stand a reasonable amount of cold, but must have dry conditions and shelter from draughts and wind.

 

[Torylou]

Thank you
i've already sorted out their feet. poor things it was the first thing i did. they're currently on a mix of layers and growers pellets, with mixed seeds and fresh greens. and they smell much better already.
I dont know their ages, or whether they are 'grouped', or have simply been picked out from a larger number of quail So far no sign of eggs at all.
They are outside, in a covered sheltered area, but i can make room for them in my garage/shed if necessary, however, that will be darker for them than outside. I'm also planning on a dust bath with DE in it as soon as i can get to the shops.
i got them saturday and they're very skittish (a trait i know) but it will be interesting to see if they calm down at all as they get used to their new surroundings. from tomorrow i'll have some time to watch their behaviour too.

Torylou
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