Quail Toys

Has anyone had any success with putting traditional bird toys in their quail pens or cages? My girls are very skittish and enjoy either hiding behind a hollowed out log or running through it. I was wondering if they have enough stimulation though. I tried throwing in mealworms for them to peck at, but they couldn't have cared less. They were also scared (I think) of ripped up foil.

Any suggestions or success stories to share?

I put a small sandbox in my quail's cage. She LOVES bathing in the cool sand, especially on hot days!

Food is definitely a good toy hehe and totally agree with the sand box - they go insane for it! You can put their grit and crushed oyster shell in it so they can forage for it and the bulk barn has finch seed mix (or most pet stores) that you can mix in for extra fun

I would be surprised they didn't go for the mealworms except quail can be kinda strange with new food lol. The first time or times they can treat it like vomit then BAM they're jumping out of the cage (literally) for it

I also sprout some seeds, even the seed mix and they like that as treats as well.

They also enjoy wood shavings for dust bathing and I hide some seed in there as well which helps to keep them busy.

A box with hay/grass may stimulate them to make a nest there, even if they do it half assed and don't go broody

And a window especially an open window if they're indoors is really intriguing lol

I have 5 grasses, a sand box, a tunnel and 2 igloo houses in their run I also added some living herbs that's they have been eating I add mealworms and bird seed to the sand box which they love

Dani xxx said:

I have 5 grasses, a sand box, a tunnel and 2 igloo houses in their run I also added some living herbs that's they have been eating I add mealworms and bird seed to the sand box which they love

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Wow, my girls would be jealous of your set up. I really like the living herbs idea. Hopefully I can do that once I get more space. Thank you for sharing!

Binki said:

Food is definitely a good toy hehe and totally agree with the sand box - they go insane for it! You can put their grit and crushed oyster shell in it so they can forage for it and the bulk barn has finch seed mix (or most pet stores) that you can mix in for extra fun

I would be surprised they didn't go for the mealworms except quail can be kinda strange with new food lol. The first time or times they can treat it like vomit then BAM they're jumping out of the cage (literally) for it

I also sprout some seeds, even the seed mix and they like that as treats as well.

They also enjoy wood shavings for dust bathing and I hide some seed in there as well which helps to keep them busy.

A box with hay/grass may stimulate them to make a nest there, even if they do it half assed and don't go broody

And a window especially an open window if they're indoors is really intriguing lol

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Thank you for all the great ideas, Binki!

Is a sand bath similar to a dust bath? Do you buy the sand or mix it yourself? I read that people do both. Is the sand you use fine? Do they kick it up everywhere like how they do with their dust baths? I have my girls inside my apartment, so I'm a little wary of sand getting everywhere (even though I'm in Hawaii).

zezima said:

I put a small sandbox in my quail's cage. She LOVES bathing in the cool sand, especially on hot days!

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Thanks Zezima! I asked Binki all kinds of questions about the sandbox. Anything to share? What kind of sand do you use?

jaymean said:

Thank you for all the great ideas, Binki!

Is a sand bath similar to a dust bath? Do you buy the sand or mix it yourself? I read that people do both. Is the sand you use fine? Do they kick it up everywhere like how they do with their dust baths? I have my girls inside my apartment, so I'm a little wary of sand getting everywhere (even though I'm in Hawaii).

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Sand, dirt, wood shavings, I've even had quail try and dustbath on my clean carpet LOL!

There's a "Chinchhilla Show Sand" that's supposed to be dust free, because quails bathing will kick up extra dust and be flung around

You could use a container with a tall lid to try and contain some sand and dust. I mostly use old Pepsi cardboard boxes cut out so there's at least three tall walls. It's good to recycle them when they're dirty, and I sift the sand clean(ish) with a strainer to get out bedding, feathers, poop etc. every few days and then they get all excited again when it's clean hehe.

When the sand gets too dirty even after being strained I toss it outside, usually once a month or so.

For my indoor birds I have a big Tupperware without the lid with a door cut out (raised about two inches to contain the sand). I soak it and wash it out every time or two I clean their cage as well as do sifting in between. They really love their sand box and will all cuddle up in it for naps and chirp and purr contently while half asleep

Oh I get my sand as Play Sand from TSC, heavy bag of it for about five bucks