How do you guys do it?!

[Dill]

I found out my 7 button quail will need 11 ft long by 11 ft wide worth of space. and they're the tinest fowl.. I can't imagine how much room larger birds like chickens, etc need! For those of you who have tons of birds how do you house them all? I'd love to see pics

I don't even know how I'll be able to provide that much room for my little guys... I guess I'll give them free range of my bedroom as much as possible and get them the biggest cage I can fit indoors (since they can't be outdoor birds due to the temp). And I was wondering about that, will they get along with my tiels, lovebirds, and budgies when they have playtime out in my room? Because I was planning on having their playtimes at the same time, since they all need AT LEAST 2hrs out of their cages everyday. Later on if I can get other types of quail or other types of birds do you think they'll also get along with the buttons? (just during playtime-I wouldn't house them together)

 

[Mom 2em All]

I don't know the specifics on space requirements- but that is sounds like a ton of room for button quail. My chickens have a 6' X3' coop. I think the math is wrong somewhere.
I also dont think the buttons need to have 'time out' of their enclosure. They would probably stress.They are also very easy to lose behind dressers, etc. Give them floor space, small plants- fake, etc. to hide behind, and they should be fine.
Dont mix them with hookbills- think little bird, big bird- the small buttons would probably think that those are hawks and would seriously stress out. I would even block their view of the tiels so they cant see them from their enclosure. That said- I cant see a tiel liking the button, and could easily hurt them.

Good luck, and I hope you can work it out so that everyone has room. I would research the amount of space required for the buttons though- that just doesnt sound right.

 

[Dill]

I've researched on the size rquirements and there's very mixed opinions so I don't know what to think really.

Button quail are often in aviaries with hookbills (people use them to eat fallen seed) and I've heard they'll do fine in an aviary with hookbills, just not cages. Tiels are less likely to hurt them than lovebirds and budgies (tiels are more layed back, budgies often bully tiels when they're half their size). I'll be supervising most of the time so i'll see any bullying.

I personally believe all birds should be given 'playtime', but that's just me. My buttons are pretty tame anyway.

 

[Mom 2em All]

In my opinion, hookbills should never be mixed with other birds. I know that buttons have been in aviaries with doves, finches, etc. however, I would never put one in with a hookbill. They are capable of doing so much damage/injury to a bird with those beaks. While they cant remove a finger like a large parrot- they still can draw blood.

I also think the stress of a bird overhead (much bigger bird than a button) would be stressful for the button quail.

As for playtime, well- you know your birds better than anyone else. As long as you are in tune with when they are stressed/not stressed- that is what is important.

Good luck.

 

[citalk2much]

My buttons would get lost in all that space LOL
I would put mine in with tils thou never again budgies they almost killed a hen she is my best curly. And never anything as aggressive as a love bird
They do great with waxbill. Diamond doves small sweet birds

 

[monarc23]

Buttons in natural breeding conditions would do great in a set up like that but when you're doing selective breeding on a large scale...that's not always practical. Whoever said that or wrote that down is just more concerned with natural environment.

 

[redhen]

you can make a cheap long cage with these things....go to the photos button at the top of the page..theres a zillion pics! good luck Dilly!

http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/3384

 

[redhen]

heres an idea of maybe something you can make with them....

http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/8

 

[tomcio]

Quote:
Actually 7 buttons would be happy in a 3ft x 4ft space. They need about 1sq.ft/bird of space. What you are suggesting is bigger than my chicken coup (which houses 12 coturninx, 2 guinea fowl, 12 isa browns & 5 polish chickens with room to spare).


I think someone has told you wrong information, you may 'need' 11ft of space. Square feet.



Tom

 

[spookyevilone]

Quote:
Not for button quail. Buttons can escape 1"x1" mesh with NO difficulty. You'd need 1/2" and I haven't seen any of the stackers with less than an inch.

I lost one of the little buggers in my house for six hours last night because it got out of a cockatiel cage with just over 1/2" spacing. Found him eventually, hiding in the Serama cage under the food dish.

-Spooky