Button quail questions

[hac1224]

What do you use as bedding for your button quails? I've heard pine shavings, non-slip shelf liner, and outdoor carpet. No hardware cloth, right?

I know they normally don't perch, but will buttons use multiple flat levels in a bird cage if provided? If so, do I have to provide ramps between the levels or will they jump/fly? There would be approx 6½" difference in height alternating from one side of the cage to the other leaving 8-12" under each level.

Which feeders & waterers work best? Will they use a small animal waterer with the ball or does it need to be the open fountain type?

If space is not an issue which ratio is better for breeding: 1 male to 1 female or 1 male to 2 females?

Can I incubate and brood them with coturnix or am I going to have to set up a seperate brooder box?

I'm sure I have more questions, but this is just a start. We're planning to get eggs and start incubating around the first week of June, but I'm trying to get everything set up now. Thanks in advance!

 

[CoopCrazy]

What do you use as bedding for your button quails? I've heard pine shavings, non-slip shelf liner, and outdoor carpet. No hardware cloth, right? I USE PINE SHAVINGS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM.

I know they normally don't perch, but will buttons use multiple flat levels in a bird cage if provided? If so, do I have to provide ramps between the levels or will they jump/fly? There would be approx 6½" difference in height alternating from one side of the cage to the other leaving 8-12" under each level. THEY WILL NOT PERCH BUT LOVE MULTIPLE LEVELS AND YES THEY NEED RAMPS THEY DONT SEEM TO WANT TO JUMP FROM LEVEL TO LEVEL.

Which feeders & waterers work best? Will they use a small animal waterer with the ball or does it need to be the open fountain type? I HAVENT TRIED THE ANIMAL WATERER BUT HAVE HEARD ALOT OF GOOD STORIES ABOUT THEM .. I USE JUST A STANDARD CHICK WATERER WITH ROCKS AT THE BOTTOM..

If space is not an issue which ratio is better for breeding: 1 male to 1 female or 1 male to 2 females? I ALWAYS DO ONE MALE TO 4-5 FEMALES..

Can I incubate and brood them with coturnix or am I going to have to set up a seperate brooder box? I WONT BROOD MINE TOGETHER AS THE COTURNIX ARE JUST SOO MUCH LARGER THEN THE BUTTONS,IF YOU AHVE NEVER HELD A BABY BUTTON BEFORE JUST WAIT, THEY ARE THE TINIEST THINGS.. I HAVE HATCHED COTURNIX AND BUTTON TOGETHER BUT ALWAYS PUT THEM IN SEPERATE BROODERS

I'm sure I have more questions, but this is just a start. We're planning to get eggs and start incubating around the first week of June, but I'm trying to get everything set up now. Thanks in advance!

 

[hac1224]

Thanks CoopCrazy! I guess I need another heat lamp so I can set up a second brooder before then.

 

[Bettacreek]

I use the water bottles, no larger than 8oz size. They work wonders. I brood most of my birds together. I even brood large fowl chickens with my button and coturnix chicks. Of course, some will say that this is a huge no-no because of disease, but I've yet to have an issue.

 

[missred871]

What do you use as bedding for your button quails? I've heard pine shavings, non-slip shelf liner, and outdoor carpet. No hardware cloth, right?I use pine shavings, easier to clean up and they like to dust in it as well

I know they normally don't perch, but will buttons use multiple flat levels in a bird cage if provided? If so, do I have to provide ramps between the levels or will they jump/fly? There would be approx 6½" difference in height alternating from one side of the cage to the other leaving 8-12" under each level.They may be able to fly but for some reason without a ramp to walk on they will not tend to use any upper levels

Which feeders & waterers work best? Will they use a small animal waterer with the ball or does it need to be the open fountain type?I use a quail waterer which can be found at tractor supply it is exactly the same as the chick waterer except that the water opening is much skinnier you can probably find them online by searching for "quail waterer"

If space is not an issue which ratio is better for breeding: 1 male to 1 female or 1 male to 2 females?as was sais above i would say 1 roo to 4 or 5 hens def not 1 to 1 or even 1-2

Can I incubate and brood them with coturnix or am I going to have to set up a seperate brooder box?definately seperate, they are the size of a bumble bee at birth (when hatched) so if u want to be thorough seperate them


[hope that helps

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
Not trying to be rude or anything, but they breed in pairs in the wild. 1:1 ratios are actually the best for them.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
Not trying to be rude or anything, but they breed in pairs in the wild. 1:1 ratios are actually the best for them.

Thats interesting.. I was always told the buttons were more a communal bird.. I'll have to look into it .. Thanks for the heads up...

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
Not trying to be rude or anything, but they breed in pairs in the wild. 1:1 ratios are actually the best for them.

Thats interesting.. I was always told the buttons were more a communal bird.. I'll have to look into it .. Thanks for the heads up...

Coturnix quail are the ones that usually do better in groups. I think bobwhites are the same way. Button quail do best in pairs, but they can be kept in groups if done carefully. Most people who house in groups will end up with bald heads, feather plucking and other issues though.

 

[Sushi]

Other than what you've already been advised here, I would suggest adding lots of little places to hide for them. Even some loosely piled straw, hay or branches, or some grass growing in their pen would be great.

 

[quailbrain]

Button quail are monogamous in the wild and do best in single pairs in captivity because of this. Unlike other quail like Valley's who live in coveys in the wild.