Many quail have the reputation of being the "clean up crew" for the floor of aviaries. This article will go over some of the myths and points of keeping quail in aviaries with other avian species, this focuses mainly on small parrots but some points may be relevant to others such as doves, finches or canaries.
This article is also based and written on my limited knowledge and experience. Please always do as much research, in many places, as you can to ensure you're making the best decisions and providing the correct care for your birds. Further articles, threads and the knowledge from experienced quail owners is invaluable.
Myths
Quail will not serve much help in "cleaning" your aviary other than eating spilt whole food. They will not eat or help in anyway with things such as seed husks or foods that are physically too big for them to eat. As with any bird, they may also have preferences in food and choose not to eat certain seeds.
The quail are also incapable of cleaning up other forms of mess such as droppings, feathers, and dander that their aviary mates will create and will only contribute to this part of the mess.
So if you want to keep quail on the floor of your aviary to assist in maintenance, it's important to note you will still require a suitable cleaning schedule/plan.
Quail cannot survive or thrive solely on the discarded foods of aviary birds, this will be a very incomplete and unhealthy diet for them (which will be touched on more later). You will still have to feed the quail a suitable diet.
Not all quail species are the same. In behaviours, temperament, and care, including their suitability with being kept outdoors.
Button quail are not a cold hardy species and if you live in a particularly cold climate they should not be housed outdoors.
New world quail, in my experience, are very different in behaviour and would not be suitable for a mixed species aviary without having the correct knowledge and a good set up. My California Valley quail tend to be quite arboreal which I can imagine causing issues with the aviary birds who are supposed to be inhabiting that part of the aviary. Some of these species are also known to become quite territorial and aggressive during breeding season, which in addition to often being quite big quail would pose a greater risk to the other birds housed in the aviary.
Other Species Considerations
Careful care and research should be put into each other species you choose to house in your aviary and their compatibility to your quail and their care.
Hookbill (parrots) species such as Budgerigars, Cockatiels, and other small parrot species have a lot of differing care requirements, as well as being quite destructive.
Some also have incompatible temperaments. Budgerigars are known to bully other species of birds, including those bigger than them. Cockatiels have a bigger beak and size in general, though they tend to have fairly quiet personalities there can always be exceptions. Other common aviary parrots such as the various Grass 'keets, often have reputations of being aggressive too.
These are things that should be considering in the planning stage of your aviary. Any species of interest should be thoroughly researched beforehand.
My Experience
I currently have a mixed aviary of eight Masked Lovebirds and eight Button quail. I've not had any trouble between the birds themselves but these are a few key points I've had to focus on with their care
This article is also based and written on my limited knowledge and experience. Please always do as much research, in many places, as you can to ensure you're making the best decisions and providing the correct care for your birds. Further articles, threads and the knowledge from experienced quail owners is invaluable.
Myths
Quail will not serve much help in "cleaning" your aviary other than eating spilt whole food. They will not eat or help in anyway with things such as seed husks or foods that are physically too big for them to eat. As with any bird, they may also have preferences in food and choose not to eat certain seeds.
The quail are also incapable of cleaning up other forms of mess such as droppings, feathers, and dander that their aviary mates will create and will only contribute to this part of the mess.
So if you want to keep quail on the floor of your aviary to assist in maintenance, it's important to note you will still require a suitable cleaning schedule/plan.
Quail cannot survive or thrive solely on the discarded foods of aviary birds, this will be a very incomplete and unhealthy diet for them (which will be touched on more later). You will still have to feed the quail a suitable diet.
The mess that can be created *with* quail in the aviary
Suitable Quail SpeciesNot all quail species are the same. In behaviours, temperament, and care, including their suitability with being kept outdoors.
Button quail are not a cold hardy species and if you live in a particularly cold climate they should not be housed outdoors.
New world quail, in my experience, are very different in behaviour and would not be suitable for a mixed species aviary without having the correct knowledge and a good set up. My California Valley quail tend to be quite arboreal which I can imagine causing issues with the aviary birds who are supposed to be inhabiting that part of the aviary. Some of these species are also known to become quite territorial and aggressive during breeding season, which in addition to often being quite big quail would pose a greater risk to the other birds housed in the aviary.
Other Species Considerations
Careful care and research should be put into each other species you choose to house in your aviary and their compatibility to your quail and their care.
Hookbill (parrots) species such as Budgerigars, Cockatiels, and other small parrot species have a lot of differing care requirements, as well as being quite destructive.
Some also have incompatible temperaments. Budgerigars are known to bully other species of birds, including those bigger than them. Cockatiels have a bigger beak and size in general, though they tend to have fairly quiet personalities there can always be exceptions. Other common aviary parrots such as the various Grass 'keets, often have reputations of being aggressive too.
These are things that should be considering in the planning stage of your aviary. Any species of interest should be thoroughly researched beforehand.
My Experience
I currently have a mixed aviary of eight Masked Lovebirds and eight Button quail. I've not had any trouble between the birds themselves but these are a few key points I've had to focus on with their care
Diet
Parrot diet is vastly different to that of quail and requires immense research of it's own. Whatever method chosen, whether seed, pellet, fresh/raw, or a combination, needs to be taken into account whether it's safe for this to also be a portion of the quail's diet and whether the quantity they end up with access to will effect their own diet. If your aviary birds are spilling/wasting a high portion of seed, your quail will likely not be eating an adequate amount of their own food, which should be a gamebird feed suitable for their life stage, this means they will not be meeting their nutritional needs and can cause health issues and shortened lifespan. Consideration for if the other aviary birds are consuming the gamebird feed should also be kept in mind, this is likely not a species suitable diet and can also cause health issues.
Keeping the aviary birds' feed up high will limit the quail's access to only the food they spill. The quail should always have access to gamebird feed to ensure they meet their diet requirements.
Accessories
As small ground dwelling prey animals, quail need hides. These also help with covey dynamics. When keeping hookbills with your quail consideration for their destructive behaviour needs to be made. Any hides made of wood may be chewed, which means ONLY safe woods can be used, e.g. no treated, for the safety of the birds.
I've found plastic hides to work well but if in a hot climate these may cause birds to overheat. Dark enclosed spaces may encourage the aviary birds to nest (nesting birds can become aggressive), to eliminate these things, using plastic baskets that allow light and air in can help.
Feeders and waterers. I've had the lovebirds chew holes in and ruin at least two plastic quail waterers at this point, bare this in mind if you choose to keep hookbills with your quail.
Other Environmental Factors
If you keep your quail on bedding or allow them access to bedding, remember some bird species will collect this to line nests, if they're been provided with nest boxes. Especially if they're going to be allowed to breed this bedding MUST be safe and suitable for the chicks. Cedar shavings are toxic. Straw or other long fibers may tangle around chicks.
Any plants used to furnish the aviary should be researched safe for all the inhabitants. Hookbills will likely kill most live plants used over time, using established plants and hardy species may increase success. Ensuring the aviary birds have adequate toys and stimulation can also help redirect attention.
Mixed species aviaries are possible, with the correct thought, planning and research. It unfortunately is not as simple as buying some quail and adding them to your aviary.
