Housing

[Hannahsquail]

Hello,

I have hatched 3 tuxedo quails and they will be 2 months old on the 12th July. They are still indoor but I want them to go outside now.

I have bought a lovely hutch for them and was wondering if they could be on the grass? The hutch has an open bottom allowing the quails to walk on the grass and then go up a slope into their bed but have just seen people saying they do not have them on the ground? Am I okay to do this or do I need to re consider their housing

 

[Nabiki]

Quail are ground birds, so on the grass is fine for them. They are not likely to use a ramp (some might, but don't be surprised if they don't). Give them places to hide, and they will be very happy on the ground.

 

[Hannahsquail]

It’s only really for when I can shut them in a night thankyou that’s very handy!! Quick question, will they be okay in the rainy days?? At the minute they’re in my house with the heating on but when they heating is off they huddle together and shiver??? Just worried about them being cold.. it’s 17°C but windy/raining until Friday (uk) Xxx

also,do they dig? Was a tad worried in case they dig under the hutch?xx

 

[Nabiki]

As long as they have shelter and can stay dry, they'll be fine. Coturnix quail are quite hardy.

 

[Hannahsquail]

Brilliant, thank you

 

[FloorCandy]

It’s only really for when I can shut them in a night thankyou that’s very handy!! Quick question, will they be okay in the rainy days?? At the minute they’re in my house with the heating on but when they heating is off they huddle together and shiver??? Just worried about them being cold.. it’s 17°C but windy/raining until Friday (uk) Xxx

also,do they dig? Was a tad worried in case they dig under the hutch?xx

My family jokes that ours are shawshanking under the pen. They aren’t trying to get out, but they dig and pick at the things outside the pen, and try to get worms and things from the dirt under the frame. I put patio blocks around mine to prevent other animals from reaching under and harming them.

also be prepared for them to kill all the grass over time.

 

[Hannahsquail]

I do have a part that is just dirt, I’m in the stage of getting all my grass growing as it’s very patchy so killing it won’t make a difference at the moment haha thanks for the idea I’ll pop some bricks all around it for better protection xx

 

[Quailobsessed]

I keep some of mine in dirt floor aviaries. I had a rodent problem in one of my aviaries, so I lined the floor with mouse wire and put dirt on top so nobody can dig in or out.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

As long as they have shelter and can stay dry, they'll be fine. Coturnix quail are quite hardy.

Well, until they decide to smash into the roof of their pen.

 

[Nabiki]

Well, until they decide to smash into the roof of their pen.

All of my pens are soft roofed so I always forget about that part. Yes. Make sure they can't flush into a hard surface. They can and will break their silly, fragile, necks.