help need information on bobwhite quail?

[PetRock]

Yes, space is your problem here. They are getting to that age where they require 4 square feet per bird. That's why the scalping. And yes, they are paired 1 on 1. They would definitely appreciate being on the ground, however if they will do fine in pens. However, because Bobs can be nervous and flushy, you might want to cut some branches with leaves from a nearby tree and prop them up in the corners of the pen with the leaves hanging down. That way they can hide and feel secure and this should help keep them calm enough to not want to flush up when scared. If you keep them in an aviary style set up, you can use branches to make a brush pile. (I use fake christmas trees. Got tired of cutting branches.

Good luck with your Bobs!

Thank you! I have been putting cut branches from our mulberry trees in the pen with them. They love the branches and have them stripped in 2 to 3 days. Do you have any problems with diseases by having them on the ground? I do think that they would be happier with ground access. They currently pace back and forth looking out the screen doors. Hmmm...I wonder what my DH is going to say when I want to change the set up again?!!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: I have never had problems related to them being on the ground. As long as you keep it dry. Dry is the key, utmost important. Bacteria, virus's and parasites thrive in warm moist conditions. So put a roof on it and if possible, cover the sides during rain or snow. Use some sort of litter. I was using bermuda grass hay, but recently switched to sand. Wonderful stuff. But something that will absorb poop or at least cover it over as they move around. My birds love the aviaries. Dust baths on the ground, chasing bugs and tons of room for nest making.

 

[PetRock]

I have never had problems related to them being on the ground. As long as you keep it dry. Dry is the key, utmost important. Bacteria, virus's and parasites thrive in warm moist conditions. So put a roof on it and if possible, cover the sides during rain or snow. Use some sort of litter. I was using bermuda grass hay, but recently switched to sand. Wonderful stuff. But something that will absorb poop or at least cover it over as they move around. My birds love the aviaries. Dust baths on the ground, chasing bugs and tons of room for nest making.

How do you keep them cool on the hot days? I live about an hour outside of San Francisco and we have long hot summers.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: I use fans, and with water I mist the ground, the entire aviary and them as well. The evaporative effect works really well. If it is really hot, I put ice in their water and during the day, I will feed them lots of cold foods like blueberries, raspberries, snap peas, cold greens, watermelon, etc...any refriged foods that are hydrating and cold. Seems to keep their insides cool while the misting and the fans keep their outside cool. I have never lost one to the heat yet.

 

[PetRock]

I use fans, and with water I mist the ground, the entire aviary and them as well. The evaporative effect works really well. If it is really hot, I put ice in their water and during the day, I will feed them lots of cold foods like blueberries, raspberries, snap peas, cold greens, watermelon, etc...any refriged foods that are hydrating and cold. Seems to keep their insides cool while the misting and the fans keep their outside cool. I have never lost one to the heat yet.

Good tips! Thank you! My chickens yard free range and I have lots of trees and shrubs. On really hot days, I use a sprinkler to water underneath the plants so they have a cool place to hang out. But if too much moisture is bad for quail, I'm going to have to set up a mister system for the aviary.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yeah, you don't want them walking in mud, but just a fine mist on the ground does wonders, especially if you live in an arid area. The evaporation really cools things off.

A roof over aviaries is the way to go. The quail get plenty of sunlight in the morning and evening hours. If it is going to rain, I use tarps on the sides to keep most of the rain out. Generally it stays fairly dry. A little bit of dampness from a rain isn't going to hurt anything, but constant wet and dampness will breed disease. Just do your best to keep it as dry as possible.