How often do quail need to be cleaned out?

[AlaskaPets]

I will be using about 5''-6'' of pine shavings in an ~8 square foot cage for 5 quail. How long will the bedding last before I need to remove it?

Also, side question, will 8 square feet be enough for 5 quail?

 

[Nabiki]

Go by smell. I keep min on dirt and I hoe the dirt under every now and then before moving them to a new garden bed, so they don't need to be changed.

I keep chicks on pine shavings, and the brooder needs to be cleaned every 2-3 days when they're tiny and every. single. day. as they grow.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Consider deep litter method, I run 20 birds in 25ish square feet, use nipple waterers (less mess) and add bedding as needed, I change out completely every 6 months but spot clean as needed.

 

[catesquire]

I was changing pine flakes once or twice a week under similar conditions. If your birds are in an area where you don't mind dust, pellets will last significantly longer (two+ weeks or even longer depending on the humidity where you are, with only spot cleaning of the top bedding needed rather than a full clean out as with flakes). They also replace the need for sand, since the birds love them for dust bathing.

 

[AlaskaPets]

I was changing pine flakes once or twice a week under similar conditions. If your birds are in an area where you don't mind dust, pellets will last significantly longer (two+ weeks or even longer depending on the humidity where you are, with only spot cleaning of the top bedding needed rather than a full clean out as with flakes). They also replace the need for sand, since the birds love them for dust bathing.

Unfortunately, pellets would be a lot more expensive

 

[AlaskaPets]

Consider deep litter method, I run 20 birds in 25ish square feet, use nipple waterers (less mess) and add bedding as needed, I change out completely every 6 months but spot clean as needed.

I love the idea of the deep litter method but my setup wouldn't allow it as I have limited space

 

[catesquire]

You can use regular wood stove pellets like you'd get at a hardware store instead of pet store ones, if that helps. Just make sure they're 100% wood.