Coturnix Adult Age and Other Questions...

[TheLaboratoryBF]

Hi all, are coturnix quail considered adults when they reach sexual maturity (~8 weeks old)?

As I was putting together a new rabbit hutch (photos below) that I am planning on using to house a small covey (currently incubating eggs and will hopefully hatch enough for 3-4 females and 1 male), I noticed what smelled like cedar, but can’t find any information (neither on the box, instruction manual, or online) as to what type of wood it’s made out of.

Assuming the hutch is made of cedar, I know cedar fumes are not healthy for birds but from what I’ve read, it’s worse for chicks than for adult quail; hence the question to determine when they are actually considered adults.

I’ve got the hutch outside to start airing out and it is sealed (but I can also paint it as well to reduce fumes if need be).

In the meantime, and since this is my first time keeping quail, do any of you experienced quail keepers see anything I might need to modify on this hutch to make it more quail friendly? The floor of the hutch is 1”x .5” coated wire and I attached .5” coated hardware cloth over the top. I’m also in the process of covering the wire sides and front with the .5” hardware cloth.

Thanks for any input!

 

[nchls school]

Hi all, are coturnix quail considered adults when they reach sexual maturity (~8 weeks old)? Yes.

As I was putting together a new rabbit hutch (photos below) that I am planning on using to house a small covey (currently incubating eggs and will hopefully hatch enough for 3-4 females and 1 male), I noticed what smelled like cedar, but can’t find any information (neither on the box, instruction manual, or online) as to what type of wood it’s made out of. Again, yes, the wood is cedar.

Assuming the hutch is made of cedar, I know cedar fumes are not healthy for birds but from what I’ve read, it’s worse for chicks than for adult quail; hence the question to determine when they are actually considered adults. I used cedar and pine with my parrots, conures budgies, etc, with no adverse effects. The cage you built is well ventilated so I don't think you'd have any problems. I have used cedar with my quail-there were no problems.

I’ve got the hutch outside to start airing out and it is sealed (but I can also paint it as well to reduce fumes if need be). There should be no problem with fumes. Paint if you wish but I doubt you need to

In the meantime, and since this is my first time keeping quail, do any of you experienced quail keepers see anything I might need to modify on this hutch to make it more quail friendly? The floor of the hutch is 1”x .5” coated wire and I attached .5” coated hardware cloth over the top. I’m also in the process of covering the wire sides and front with the .5” hardware cloth. The cage looks good, but... You need to put a 6 inch tall barrier along the bottoms of any door opening. Cortunix are quick; without a barrier the quail will be getting out whenever you open the door. The wire bottom may cause foot problems if used without bedding.

Thanks for any input! Quail are quick/fast in their movements. With mine flight is not a problem; running is.

Click on the faded type.

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

Click on the faded type.

Thanks! The main opening has about a 3” lip so I’ll add another 3” on top of that and will modify the secondary opening. I am also planning on adding at least a couple low and wide dust bath pans (one in each area for them to get off the wire), and may eventually just go to solid floor with sand over the top depending on how the wire works out.

 

[davidwhit]

Looks great.

 

[nchls school]

Thanks! The main opening has about a 3” lip so I’ll add another 3” on top of that and will modify the secondary opening. I am also planning on adding at least a couple low and wide dust bath pans (one in each area for them to get off the wire), and may eventually just go to solid floor with sand over the top depending on how the wire works out.

You're welcome. Feel free to contact me through "conversation" should you have more questions at a later date.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

It looks great! I have to second the warning about potential foot issues - I thought my birds would be totally fine with their little boxes to get off of it, but after a couple of months on the wire 3 bumblefoot cases sprung up simultaneously. They're being treated successfully, but it's a giant pain for everyone involved and it was not cheap to get the meds here in a blizzard. Moved everyone off wire, no more issues. You may be fine, just don't slack on twice weekly foot checks

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

It looks great! I have to second the warning about potential foot issues - I thought my birds would be totally fine with their little boxes to get off of it, but after a couple of months on the wire 3 bumblefoot cases sprung up simultaneously. They're being treated successfully, but it's a giant pain for everyone involved and it was not cheap to get the meds here in a blizzard. Moved everyone off wire, no more issues. You may be fine, just don't slack on twice weekly foot checks

Good tip, thanks! I was actually leaning toward a solid floor with sand underfoot for the entire hutch but it seemed most people use wire (and this hutch has pull out drawers for easier clean out). I may still go with solid floor; what material(s) do you use for your flooring?

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Good tip, thanks! I was actually leaning toward a solid floor with sand underfoot for the entire hutch but it seemed most people use wire (and this hutch has pull out drawers for easier clean out). I may still go with solid floor; what material(s) do you use for your flooring?

I mean, the cleanup is a big factor, especially if you're able to put it outside where the poop can just fall and be shoveled up. Mine have to be inside regardless so it didn't make much of an impact on my routine.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Oh, mine are commercial parrot cages with a solid metal tray and a removeable wire floor. They're just in the trays with shavings now.

 

[TheLaboratoryBF]

I mean, the cleanup is a big factor, especially if you're able to put it outside where the poop can just fall and be shoveled up. Mine have to be inside regardless so it didn't make much of an impact on my routine.

They will be outside but on larger gravel so letting it fall onto the ground isn’t an option (or isn’t a sanitary option anyway). My thinking with solid floor and sand would be to scoop biweekly with a kitty litter scoop.