I have a few quick quail questions

[mechanic57]

I've had chickens for years and recently I've been doing research about quail. I have a couple of questions that I have not been able to find answers to, but I'm sure you guy know the answers.

I noticed a lot of people use a cage or coop of some kind with a wire mesh floor, so apparently it doesn't cause issues with their feet, but what happens with the poop? Does the poop stick to the wire and start to clump up on the bottom of the cage or does the consistency allow it to pass through?

I noticed a lot of people also have a nest box with some sort of bedding material. Since quail don't roost, do they sleep in the nest box, or is this just for them to lay eggs? Do they poop while they are sleeping like chickens do?

Sorry to start such a poopy thread!

 

[koturnix]

Their poop falls through the wire. Though sometimes there are bits of it that get stuck so every month (or weeks, depending on how much quail you have) you'll want to scrub it with a brush for cleanliness.

The nest boxes are to give them a break from the wire as it hurts their feet if they have to stand on it too much. Quail usually don't lay their eggs in nests, they pop them out wherever (though sometimes my hens to like to lay in the boxes).

 

[Nabiki]

The quail do need something to give their feet a break from the wire. Dirt boxes work really well because they also love dirt baths.

I keep mine on the ground rather than on wire, but the convenience of wire is having the poop fall through.