FINCHforum

I hope this posting is not against forum rules. Moderators, please let me know if I'm breaking a rule here...

I am desperately trying to find a female button quail for my lonely male! The age doesn't matter since he's a senior now (over 7 years old). He just lost his longtime (also male) friend and is calling his heart out.

I would like to get one locally, I live north of Atlanta, GA. I'm willing to drive up to 2 hours if need be. I don't think ordering one from a breeder to get it shipped in the middle of July is a good idea, that's why I am trying all options without shipping first. I tried contacting the only breeder I found on a breeders list, and she has 10 listed on Craigslist, but it looks like she wants to sell them all together. (I just sent her another email, not sure if she's changing her mind and willing to give me a single one.)

I started out with 2 pairs of buttons in my walk-in aviary over 7 years ago, they had offspring once, and I gave some away and kept some females. Since females usually don't live as long as males I finally had only 2 males left who got along perfectly well and were really bonded and hanging out together. Now he's walking around constantly and especially in the morning calling for an hour on end. (I like the calls, that's not the issue. It's just that I know he's doing it because he's looking for his companion.)

I don't think I should introduce another male or a pair to him, I think a female would be better. He's a little handicapped (insured his leg about 6 months or so ago, so he limps a little) so he needs a gentle companion, and I'm hoping a female would be gentle enough.

Thanks,
Ursula

Ursula You are definitely not breaking any forum rules by posting this. Sorry your little male is so unhappy now that he has lost his buddy. I will move this topic to the Marketplace, so it might be seen by more people.

Thanks, Sally! I wasn't sure if the Marketplace is only for finch related things.

By the way the only breeder in GA that I know of has confirmed she wants to sell all her 10 button quail together and not give me one individual female. If I had room I would take them, she keeps them all together in a 18" x 36" cage.... (I wouldn't want to put them even in my 11' by 11' aviary because buttons shouldn't be kept in large groups.)

Well, your button quail are part of your finch aviary and eat up the finch seed the finches drop--sounds finch-related to me.

Ursula - Have you tried contacting this person?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/grd/4515888826.html

Yes, I did and no response. Thank you!!

I just picked up a male from somebody local who had a single one. So far they seem to be getting along just fine. Fingers crossed.

Great News ! Hopefully they will get along and become best buddies for years to come...

Thanks,Ginene! I hope so too.

That is great news! Fingers crossed that they bond and become best friends. Do you want me to change the title to reflect that you no longer need a female, or are you going to keep looking?

Yes, please. Thank you, Sally!!

Done.

Glad you found your male a friend!!

That's great news you found a friend for your button quail. I saw your post and so wished I lived closer to you. We have 48 button quail and I would have given you one gladly!