Best quail for pets?

[Dill]

Another question: how much space do cortunix need?

 

[linebacker]

Quote:
I give them 1sq ft of floor space per adult. That's in a breeding cage with four females and one male. As an inside pet I would think a single could do well in a birdcage, but I'm sure you'll want more than one!

Brad

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I give them 1sq ft of floor space per adult. That's in a breeding cage with four females and one male. As an inside pet I would think a single could do well in a birdcage, but I'm sure you'll want more than one!

Brad

coturnix diserve buddies, so it's always best to have more than one and perferably more than two (one male and one hen can cause problems during breeding season).

 

[someusername]

Coturnix, but only one coturnix however, when they reach adulthood, chirp for someone else, and only stop chirping when you come. They also try to give their insects to another invisible quail.
BUT
I noticed when quail chicks are raised together, they become dumb adults when they grow up, since they interact with quail more than humans.

I had in my first batch of quail only hatched one, and he was really smart, he cound open his cage latch, understand walls, and would go back into his cage whenever the lights were turned on and off. Then I got some hens, and he stopped chirping all the time.

 

[Derrin]

Ok a lot of good information here. I would say hey all female or there female and one male to help keep him calmer. They will get where they will sit in your lap and get pet.

Housing:
One square foot per bird is great. Meat and eggs producers will put as many as 6-7 per square foot of space.
I do not like the deep litter method. Everyday is a hunt for your eggs. I prefer wire bottoms where the pop can drop into a tray for easy cleaning. I put two fridge packs of Baking soda on top of each cage. I have about 200 birds in a tarped in carport and you cannot smell them. Look at the breeder cages from wynola ranch.

Food:
A good game bird feed. I use 26% and my birds are really happy.

Have fun and remember every bird will have his own personality. Keep us updated!

 

[Fishkeeper]

You need to keep more than one coturnix, they're social. At least 3 females per male, or all females.
Also, 1 square foot per bird is OK, but you should have a minimum cage size of 4 square feet. They need some room to run around and things to jump up on.
Make sure they have a dust bath to play in, and give them occasional weeds from outside to peck at and mess with. Gotta let 'em scratch around and act like birds.

 

[someusername]

Nah, 2 females are ok.

 

[someusername]

LET THEM OUT TO RUN AROUND AND FLY.(yes there is poop, but that is neccesary)
This is key.
It is like leaving a dog in a pen all day if you don't let them out.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you have cats/dogs and no good way to keep them away from the quail, quail are perfectly happy if kept in a large pen and not let out. Otherwise, yes, it's good to let them out sometimes, especially if you keep them in the smaller end of the acceptable cage range.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Not trying to be down, but i dont think a coturnix will be a good lap buddy, but i may be wrong. They are by far the tamest breed but i dont know about that tame, but ive only raised and hatched cots for 3 years so i dont know everything. Hope you get a real tame one!