Best Quail Bedding for Hot environment.

[CarleeG]

My quail are in a ground pen but I live in Arizona. The ground right now is just dirt which they seem to love. They make little holes and sleep in them. It’s starting to get a little smelly so do I get more dirt and cover it to start making compost? I’ve heard pine chips are too warm, would sand be cooler? Then I could just scoop out the poop? Basically I don’t want to add anything that will make them warmer since were entering summer. Or should I just hose it out and keep it as is?

 

[waytomanychickens]

My quail are in a ground pen but I live in Arizona. The ground right now is just dirt which they seem to love. They make little holes and sleep in them. It’s starting to get a little smelly so do I get more dirt and cover it to start making compost? I’ve heard pine chips are too warm, would sand be cooler? Then I could just scoop out the poop? Basically I don’t want to add anything that will make them warmer since were entering summer. Or should I just hose it out and keep it as is?

try sand. my quail love it and you could spray it to wash it occasionally. do they have a solid roof or some sort of shade cover? i keep mine under a shade tree in the summer

 

[JaeG]

As long as they have shade the sand would be great, but in full sun the sand will get hot.

 

[CarleeG]

try sand. my quail love it and you could spray it to wash it occasionally. do they have a solid roof or some sort of shade cover? i keep mine under a shade tree in the summer

Thanks! Yes I have a tarp strategically placed so half their pen gets the early morning sun but they have complete shade in afternoon. I also built them a little home where they can hide out if they want to. I put frozen water jugs in there and they like to lay next to them.

 

[FloorCandy]

Once you use sand you will be spoiled for anything else, it’s so easy. I rake it into a pile and sift the poo out every few days, so easy.

 

[igorsMistress]

I also live in AZ and wouldn't do sand. Our winds blow it around and it gets very dusty.

It's so dry here that if you can get the dirt wet once in a while that will help break things down. I used a thin layer of hay on the ground. Added more when necessary and raked it out/replaced with fresh once in a while.

 

[CarleeG]

Has anyone ever bought a piece of sod or grass and put it in their quail pen or would that have fertilizer in it?