Getting Diamond doves

[QuailRaiser]

I have a fried who breeds diamond doves, and I would be interested in getting some in the spring. I have a large aviary where I keep my quail, they should be fine if I keep mine up top there, so that should work. Trouble is I don't know too much about them, having just read general dove keeping practise. Any help is appreciated. THX

 

[jak2002003]

They are very easy to care for.

Feed them a finch or parakeet seed mix, also supply fine bird grit and crushed oystershell.

Give them some small basket type nest and hang them around the aviary. The doves will soon be breeding like crazy if you give them some nesting material.

They need protection from frost in the winter so a frost free shelter in essential, or they will loose toes with frostbite.

Be careful mixing them with you large quails! The quails are likely to destroy the doves nests if they fly up if they are startled by something. Also they may injure or kill the young diamond doves when they leave the nest. The young doves can not fly properly when they first leave the nest and sit about on the ground. They are slow to move out of the way, and may get pecked and stamped on.

 

[QuailRaiser]

Thank you! my quail are rather small, but i see that this can be an issue. they dont fly though. What is the best kind of nesting material? and here in canada we get frost, the past two weeks it's been -8. what type of frost proof shelter are you talking about?
thanks!!

 

[jak2002003]

They like fine dry grasses, small twigs, and feathers to make the nests, but they will use just about anything.

They need an area that is frost free... it can be cold, but not drafty, damp, or where its cold enough to freeze the water.

Mine were in an outdoor aviary... and I had a small shed attached to one end where the birds would sleep at night. There was no heating, but in there they got some protection from the weather.

Where do your quails sleep at he moment?

 

[QuailRaiser]

They sleep in baskets turned upside down with a hole to get in