Have you ever wondered what causes quail feather loss? If you are a quail lover, keeping them as a pet might concern you about their feather loss. It is similar to common diseases in stone magpies.
Some causes of quail feather loss commonly make them look thin. Their smooth feather can be the ones that attract people to keep them as a pet. That makes sense if they want to protect their feather.
Feather loss in birds can be one of the common matters. Even so, if their feathers lose much amount than usual, it can be a sign of some sickness which is similar to diseases that often attack canaries. It is better to get them to the veterinarian soon.
Are you wondering what causes quail feather loss? Here we have some of them that are helpful to prevent feather loss. Let’s check them out!
1. Molting
Molting is one of the causes of quail feather loss, which commonly happens for some birds. It becomes a part of growing birds as the quail will be more mature than before.
The result of molting is to get a healthier and stronger feather. It is different from some types of fish-eating birds that rarely molt.
Molting is a process of feather loss that commonly happens in quail periodically. As the quails grow, they are maintained to keep their feather composure. Their old feather will be getting weak and unhealthy from time to time.
The molting help quails to grow new feathers that are stronger and healthier than before. It needs around two weeks until the old feathers are completely lost and the new ones are grown.
2. Breeding season
Breeding season is one of the causes of quail feather loss that commonly happen for quails. During the breeding season, males can be more aggressive towards their mates.
That makes females can get feather loss more than males, which is similar to the behavior of types of fruit-eating birds in common.
During the breeding season, it is better to give the female quail a bigger space. It would help them to move easily and maintain feather loss lesser. The small size of the cage will only make them easily get feather loss.
3. Aggressiveness
Aggressiveness is one of the causes of quail feather loss that mostly happen in quails during breeding time. Mostly male quails become more aggressive toward their mate. It causes many feather losses between the two of them.
Most female quails are less aggressive, but when the female attack them, the feather loss can be higher than the male. They can even have a flock around their body after their feather gets pulled forcedly by males.
4. Stress
Stress is one of the causes of quail feather loss that commonly happen in some periodic time. Stress on quail can happen because of many factors. It can be about the presence of predators around, lack of space in the cage, and weather.
Stress on quails can happen because of the environment around them. Giving them an extra space can be helpful. They need more space to grow and more comfortable lighting as well.
Some quails can’t survive long around a crowded place. It will make them have more stress than usual. That is why it is better to give them a larger place without other birds or pets.
5. Lighting
Lighting is one of the causes of quail feather loss that commonly happen in most quail. As a pet, quail needs a perfect light in their cage. They have too sensitive to the weather. The light will influence the weather around them, which can be hard for quails to adapt.
During the breeding season, perfect lighting for quail is needed the most. It goes the same when they are grown up. The lighting will help them to have a grown brain and mature behavior.
6. Density
Density is one of the causes of quail feather loss that commonly happen in most quail. They need to be pretty active moreover during breeding time. It goes the same with the lighting that is available around them.
Density will not only make quails have limited movement but also makes them stress significantly. It causes feather loss faster than usual. That is why it is better to maintain a larger cage for them.
7. Nutrition
Nutrition is one of the causes of quail feather loss that commonly happen in most quail. Water, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients need to be in a balanced amount for quail. Keeping a balance of food and being more cautious about the food that is poisonous to your pet is important.
If quail lack some nutrition, it leads them to get feather loss more often. It will not only bring damage to quails but also bring some sickness to them. The amount balance of nutrition needs to be fulfilled by giving them perfect food.
8. Mites attack
Mites attack is one of the causes of quail feather loss that sometimes happen in quail pet. Mites are small bugs that commonly attack them and make quail pluck their feather to survive the attack.
Mites attack commonly suck the quail’s blood. It makes them get itchy and sometimes can cause anemia for them. Serious treatment is needed even if the case happens.
Mites attack quail and mainly breed under their wings. Getting them a clean space in their cage can help quail prevent getting attacked by mites. Regularly spraying the cage and the quail as well with a specific anti-mite sprayer from the veterinarian is better to do.
Some of the causes of quail feather loss above commonly can be prevented with the right treatment. Stress can cause feather loss the most which leads them to the danger of health.
Other than that, giving a clean and wide space for the quail to grow in the cage can be a helpful tip for a healthier life.