Button Quail Question

[Green Bean Quail]

I just started setting up a 40 gal long aquarium. My plan is to eventually move them to an outdoor enclosure with a heated house for cool nights/days. The aquarium has the reptile screen lid on top (tank is 16" tall), should I hang vines and/or soft bird netting an inch or so from the top to avoid them hitting their heads when startled? Or is the screen lid ok?

I think bird netting would be smart, because it looks like you’d have to remove the lid anyways to get stuff/change feeders so the netting would also prevent escapees. The pebbles you have are really pretty but they will get pooped on rather quickly. I used fine sand for a sand bath instead of the glass pebbles and it was easier to clean and they roll in it. Very cute setup! Love the colors!

 

[Pigglebottoms]

I think bird netting would be smart, because it looks like you’d have to remove the lid anyways to get stuff/change feeders so the netting would also prevent escapees. The pebbles you have are really pretty but they will get pooped on rather quickly. I used fine sand for a sand bath instead of the glass pebbles and it was easier to clean and they roll in it. Very cute setup! Love the colors!

Thank you! I already had a plan for cleaning the rocks regularly (thought it out thoroughly before adding them lol) but I want then to have a variety of texture since they're coming from newspaper and cage floor. I plan to add sand to the cake pan for dust baths, and some pine flake to the end with the hides. That's good thinking with the net avoiding escapes!

 

[Green Bean Quail]

Thank you! I already had a plan for cleaning the rocks regularly (thought it out thoroughly before adding them lol) but I want then to have a variety of texture since they're coming from newspaper and cage floor. I plan to add sand to the cake pan for dust baths, and some pine flake to the end with the hides. That's good thinking with the net avoiding escapes!

Yeah! I have a towel I drape in my cage when I open it because I realized pretty quick my new girls know how to fly. Had a bit of a scare when Scarface leapt out!

 

[Pigglebottoms]

UPDATE: Just wanted to update everyone. Getting our schedules together was very difficult, so we don't have them. My husband gave up waiting and brought home some 1 week old chickens lol He used my tank as their brooder (took the quail stuff out first) and I adore them. BUT...Now the owner of the quail has available times that match my available times. The rescue mentality in me still makes me want to get them and switch their diet to get them healthy and in full feather. I just need to convince hubby and decide what enclosure to use now Wish me luck!
I have a critter nation cage and a finch flight cage, but neither has a tub style tray for the litter. If I can find a used rabbit hutch with the enclosed need box at one end, could I use that with an added solid floor? Could they live outside from now until winter (I'd bring them in for winter or add a coop heat plate maybe if they'd be ok?) Brainstorming

 

[Quailobsessed]

UPDATE: Just wanted to update everyone. Getting our schedules together was very difficult, so we don't have them. My husband gave up waiting and brought home some 1 week old chickens lol He used my tank as their brooder (took the quail stuff out first) and I adore them. BUT...Now the owner of the quail has available times that match my available times. The rescue mentality in me still makes me want to get them and switch their diet to get them healthy and in full feather. I just need to convince hubby and decide what enclosure to use now Wish me luck!
I have a critter nation cage and a finch flight cage, but neither has a tub style tray for the litter. If I can find a used rabbit hutch with the enclosed need box at one end, could I use that with an added solid floor? Could they live outside from now until winter (I'd bring them in for winter or add a coop heat plate maybe if they'd be ok?) Brainstorming

I get it with the rescue thing. Two of my quails are rescues and I think I'm getting another rescue soon

I use rabbit hutches for some of my king quails. They should do okay outside at the moment as long as it doesn't get too cold. I keep mine outside all year, but that's because it doesn't really get cold here. It depends on the temperatures you get there.

 

[AstroFerret92]

Hi. You seemed like a knowledgeable bunch and I have a few questions. I'm going to get a few button quail in a few weeks and am doing my research. I heard a few mentions on a thread of quail dust bathing in their bedding. Does this mean I don't have to use chinchilla dust, or should I get some? Also, would using dove food be okay for a quail, and if not do you have any suggestions?

 

[Nabiki]

Hi. You seemed like a knowledgeable bunch and I have a few questions. I'm going to get a few button quail in a few weeks and am doing my research. I heard a few mentions on a thread of quail dust bathing in their bedding. Does this mean I don't have to use chinchilla dust, or should I get some? Also, would using dove food be okay for a quail, and if not do you have any suggestions?

They are quite happy to dust bathe in plain, dry dirt. Chinchilla dust is probably too fine for the birds.

Dove food is not going to be high enough in protein for quail. I feed mine (both coturnix and button) game bird crumble.