I want to get quail but I have cats. What should I do?

[kbennett87]

I have dogs and cats. I am currently TRYING to have quail but I have had ducks and they all did fine together. well not really together, the ducks had their own space in the house and in the yard. if you have the space and time to dedicate, I say go for it!

 

[ErinEliz]

I don't have Quail... but I do have chickens and ducks! ...and 6 cats and 2 small dogs. I have never had a problem. The ducks are free ranged in our back yard (locked in the coop at night) and that is where the dogs are let out and where the cats sometimes hang out. We have never had any issues.

 

[Mwilliams32931]

Just like the cartoon with "Sylvester and Tweetie".

LOL!!!

 

[islandbirdgirl]

I have both and I have no problems. My quail are in cages that are off the ground. I find my cats staring at them but I haven't had any problems.

How high would I need to make the cage?

Having quail and cats should be fine as log as you keep them separate and safe. How many quail were you plannin on gettin? What kind? Button quail would be harder to defend from cats, but they need less room. Jumbo quail would be bigger thus more able to defend against cats, but need more room.

I don't know how many, maybe 3 or 4 to start with? Would Coturnix be okay? Or still to small?

Thanks!

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

How high would I need to make the cage?

I don't know how many, maybe 3 or 4 to start with? Would Coturnix be okay? Or still to small? 

Thanks!

I would make the cage high enough so the cats can't jump up to it or climb to it somehow
Coturnix Quail should be fine. They are beautiful birds!

 

[islandbirdgirl]

yaay! So how much space would Coturnix need?

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore

Here's a helpful thread about Coturnix Quail

 

[Sparkypatriot15]

yaay! So how much space would Coturnix need?

Around 1 square foot per bird

 

[islandbirdgirl]

Thanks!

 

[jobeis]

I have 2 cats, one with claws. I hatched 7 quail a few weeks ago. My clawed cat goes outside and catches birds and brings them inside

So I was very worried about having little birdies running around inside. Once they arrived, she was terrified of them, go figure. She seems to know they are not to be 'played' with, probably because we spent time caring for them and holding them.

We left them in a plastic tub on the floor for the first several weeks of their life under a heat lamp and she never, ever tried to get them. She would just curiously watch them. She had unsupervised access to them while we were at work and at night and didn't even bat an eye. She mostly watched them when we were caring for them.

Some cats understand the differences, some don't.