Are quail ok on wet ground?

crimsonmama

Chirping
Jan 2, 2017
97
16
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I know maybe a strange question!
I recently moved my quails outdoors now they are six weeks old. It's been raining alot though at night times and the ground in their aviary (which is on concrete) is pretty soggy with sawdust and their excrement. They can and do go upstairs to a inside section which is warm and dry. I just don't know if I'm supposed to sweep out the soggy bottom everytime it gets wet or if it's ok until cleaning day (twice a week).

I don't want them getting foot rot or germs growing in the wet??
 
It should be okay for a few days. Many larger operations I have seen do not even do that much and let the birds out on soils for over 2-3 years. Although I am sure they swap pens and treat the grounds.
 
In my outdoor (button) quail enclosure, I've just stopped using bedding in the part that gets wet. It dries fasther if it's just concrete that gets wet.
 
In my outdoor (button) quail enclosure, I've just stopped using bedding in the part that gets wet. It dries fasther if it's just concrete that gets wet.


That was the plan! But I don't like how their poop gets stuck on their feet sometimes so thought adding sawdust or sand would help. Which it does stop the mess sticking. But means they are walking on wet mush. However they do have a sand box, two hay/nest boxes and the upstairs area to sit in and be dry. (They look so cozy and cute laying down upstairs! I wasn't sure they would use the top bit as online sites say quail will not walk up a ramp! But mine seem to enjoy the extra space!)

can you not put some sort of wind and rain protection around the aviary like perspex. it might stop the rain from getting in.

I guess that could work! Just didn't want them to feel so enclosed! But if it's for the best as April here in the UK can be a pretty wet month too.
 
Actually, before removing the bedding one of my buttons had poop on one toe. The day after removing the bedding, the poop was gone. It did rain at the time, so I think walking on the wet concrete dissolved the poo ball while scraping the dissolved bits off in a way bedding couldn't have done.
 

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