Choice of wire flooring for Coturnix Quail?

[laughingull]

Hi all, been searching through the posts on Coturnix housing. Currently mine are on dirt but I want to change that- lift my coop and expose its wire floor. The floor is made of 1/2" hardware cloth (not coated). Is that OK for their feet or do I need to replace the floor and if so with what? Much thanks.

 

[LivingRootsFarm]

That is what my quail are on. Plus I have a sandbox and twigs/branches in their cage as well.

 

[Chick Charm]

1/2'' Hardware cloth is best. You may want to do as many also do and put a sandbox and some other small flat surfaces if you are duly concerned about their feet. However the cloth will be alright. TIME TESTED AND TRUE.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

very true, i made my coop with 1/4'' hardware cloth....the poo get stuck to it alot, i gotta get a grill brush and scrape it off once a month.

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
So true. The 1/4" is good for about the first 2 weeks of age, then it becomes a poo-poo mat. I'm putting my Bobs on 1/2" wire at 7 days at the latest.

 

[JJMR794]

1/2 Inch Hardware Cloth Is Hard To Beat

 

[lebedkat]

So one week old cheeks are OK to be moved to 1/2" wire???

 

[laughingull]

Thank you so much to all! Wow this makes my job a bit easier- just have to get the dirt out

Your advice is much much appreciated!!!!!!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Personally I think at least part of their flooring should be solid (wood, cardboard, etc), but I guess that's a matter of opinion more than anything. I wouldn't like to be on wire all the time and mine surely do spend most of their time on the solid parts.

I use mostly 1" x 1/2" wire on my cage floors and didn't see any difference.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

i run a 1/3 wood floor and 2/3 1/4'' cloth floor(i should have put 1/2"). they love spending time in the wooded part, thats where they lay, the sandbox is, and the toys for them are.