Getting them off the wire and on the ground

[Wifezilla]

I have straw on grass. I am throwing down white dutch clover seed that is untreated.
If they do kill all the grass, I will just do deep litter.

 

[Quail27]

It is wonderful to see how happy they are with grass and sunshine and dirt.
I have my quail in an outdoor two story hutch with an attached run. They seem so much happier than the ones I used to raise on wire.
Rabbits too benefit so much from this.

 

[Quail_Cottage]

I have straw on grass. I am throwing down white dutch clover seed that is untreated.
If they do kill all the grass, I will just do deep litter.

Sorry for beginner cluelessness

, so do you rake out and replace the straw? as you can tell i hadn't really thought about his..how often do you need to clean out? What litter do you use for birds...I've already got (pricey) paper pellet stuff for the rabbit and shavings for the hammy, any of those any good? Our pen is 6'x8'. I'll be starting a composting bin soon too, to deal with all this animal waste.

but the garden will thank me for it.​

 

[JJMR794]

Many folks who keep high caliber gamebirds such and migratory waterfowl and rare pheasants dig out the pen about 4" deep and replace the top layer with play sand --- This provides very good drainage and is easy to clean--- most debries will just wash thru the sand with a hose or rainfall. the sand can easily be raked as well... this substrate also makes it harder for parasites as its not the usual environement they live in/on.

 

[Wifezilla]

I have straw on the grass. When it gets poopy I turn the straw. When it smells, you rake it out and put down new stuff. Sand is a great idea for people who live in far soggier climates than mine. Colorado is pretty dry and I can get away with things people in Wisconsin or Iowa might not be able to.

 

[peewee]

I have an outside, on the ground, planted pen for my quail as well. My new one is 8'w x 10'l x 6.5'h( don't have a pic of this one yet). I use hay laid in a very thick layer on the ground. I usually rake this clean every two to three weeks or as needed. It rains a lot here and I seem to have to change the hay more often because of that than the fact that the quails mess it up. If there is poop on the ground (in the dirt) it all gets shoveled out and the dirt replaced. I am seriously thinking about placing a think layer of river pebbles down for drainage then a thick layer of play sand (easier to get the poop out of that) then the layer of hay. Maybe later this summer. Since I have decided to keep my quails on the ground my vet has recommended that I worm at least three times a year. Since I don't eat my quail eggs, or my birds, I usually worm every 3 months. So far, knock on wood, I have not had any problems with them.

Wifezilla, that is an awesome pen!!

 

[Wifezilla]

Thanks peewee

I need to total my costs, but since I got the dog kennel and the hutch FREE, I am thinking around $20 total.

 

[PurpleChicken]

WZ, thanks a lot (sarcastic). I've got all the materials including the same exact dog house sitting around idle. Now I'm supposed to build a quail pen??? Thanks a lot.

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
aw comon' PC! You of all people should have already had this built

 

[Wifezilla]

No kidding!

Give in to the quaily cuteness PC!