Heat supplement for button quail

[GodLovesU]

So I have three Buttonquail and I’m planning to keep them in a 50 gallon bin. The bin will be kept on the covered back porch but it gets pretty cold in the winter, down into the 30’s. How do y’all keep yours warm? I have a heat lamp, but I don’t know if I can get it close enough to them. Could I use a heat mat or plate?Of course if it gets too cold I can bring them in for the night, but I would like them to be outside for most of the winter.TIA!

 

[Nabiki]

A heat lamp would work. I don't recommend heat mats, since they can cause foot damage. Can you insulate around the bin and provide small shelters inside? Those will help, but if it gets down to freezing temps, you might still lose them.

 

[GodLovesU]

A heat lamp would work. I don't recommend heat mats, since they can cause foot damage. Can you insulate around the bin and provide small shelters inside? Those will help, but if it gets down to freezing temps, you might still lose them.

I have a little shelter for them.How would I insulate the bin?Would a heat plate, like the kind used for chicks, not work?

 

[WoDia]

@GodLovesU Since you only have 3, I recommend keeping them inside during winter. Nabiki is right— you could still lose them. They are not cold hardy. Plus, it would be very important to use a safe, very reliable heat source that can withstand frigid temperatures.

 

[Nabiki]

I have a little shelter for them.How would I insulate the bin?Would a heat plate, like the kind used for chicks, not work?

I don't like heat plates, personally. You can't see what's going on under them, so you can't easily check on your birds. It might work, it might not.

Insulating the bin would be to wrap it in some kind of insulation. Blankets, a thick layer of hay, basically something to keep the heat in. Birds can produce a lot of heat, but buttons are so small that it would be hard for them to produce enough to heat the bin.

 

[GodLovesU]

Here’s their cage!It’s supposed to get down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit tonight.Will they be okay with just that heat lamp?They’re 5 weeks old and on the covered porch.

 

[Nabiki]

They should be fine at 45 degrees, especially with a heat lamp. You might think about getting a reptile bulb. It puts out plenty of heat but no light, so the birds can get a normal day/night cycle.

 

[Logar]

They should be fine at 45 degrees, especially with a heat lamp. You might think about getting a reptile bulb. It puts out plenty of heat but no light, so the birds can get a normal day/night cycle.

You are talking about ceramic heat emitters and deep heat projectors, right?

 

[Nabiki]

You are talking about ceramic heat emitters and deep heat projectors, right?

Yeah. I use these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KLDKDDD

 

[GodLovesU]

Well we had some ceramic heat bulbs and they’re working great!