OK ALL MY adult female quails have started to loose neck feathers or back feathers. i was wondering could it be caused by the eggs using up all the calcium. or are they loosing them from mating? there are 2 females and lay lay about 4 eggs in about a day and a half.
2006-12-26 07:05:15 · 4 answers · asked by jm_girling 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Hi,
My quail has same thing, i think other than anything it will be the other quails pulling them out, honestly nothing to worry about, my female has what i call a "landing strip" going down her back from where they plucked her, she is fit and healthy no problems laying eggs and her eggs are all hatching and are 100 % great
If they are laying a bit give them extra calcium with there food or water, (u can get the liquid one for water called calcivet) They are adults and do need alot of calcium,
Goodluck
2006-12-26 07:15:38 · answer #1 · answered by worldchampatpool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they are going threw a yearly molt. Some birds and long haired animals loose their feathers or hair during or after mating seasn or giving birth. It is normal for the most part.
To be on the safe side, go to the pet store and buy some of those cage guards for mites. At this time itd be good to spray them with water from a bottle to keep their exposed skin soothed. GOOD LUCK!
2006-12-26 15:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by reasonable-sale-lots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is no male it could be fustration from not breeding or if there is a male it is possible that they are breeding scares. Also if they are lay a bunch of eggs all the time it could be a deficiency in the diet. Give them hard boiled eggs mashed up and there is stuff you can buy from the pet store called Breeders mash and it has extra vitamins for when they are breeding and laying eggs
Hope this helps
2006-12-26 15:12:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
male birds will deface their hens during breeding season....it gives them a sickly appearance and helps them defend their mate and young. A predator sees a half naked bird and thinks it is sick, so it goes for the male who looks better....also they do it to provide warmth for the nest, and some male are just jerks and get off on that kinda thing...happened with my cockatiels...they will grow back but if it becomes a habit seperate them because continued plucking will kill off the area and the feathers will not grow back.
2006-12-26 18:10:55 · answer #4 · answered by Tanya N (thesingingbeaner) 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋