For Newly Hatched Quail: I Have Read Some Of You Use Towels, Paper Towels Or Rubber Shelf Lining. How Soon Do You Place Them On Pine Shavings?
Quote:All 3 are fine bedding for newly hatched quail of most species. After about 3-5 days of good GBS, and tap water, the cartilage in their legs have calcified and chicks can stand on almost any surface. You may put them on pine shavings at any point, when you can figure out how to keep them from kicking the shavings into the water fount and leaching all the water out of the fount into the bedding. It's a bit of a give and take here, but technically speaking....Most quail chicks have "Their LEGS" at around 3-5 days.
I like to use the rubber shelf lining under the paper towels for the first few days. Then I switch them to shavings, but leave the shelf liner for about another week in case they dig down. They do like to kick and play with the shavings... And as joe stated, it does end up in the water. I set my water dishes on a large lid, like off the coffee can to help cut down on what could soak the bedding.
