I'll answer your quail housing questions!

[Bird_Lover_17]

I have just discovered that I have 3 female button quail when I thought I had 5, and there is 11 males but I'm trying to get rid of some. Have any advice for putting them in groups or pairs?
I'm making them separate cages I just don't know who and how many should go together.

In my experience male are ok when together, But I would try to put the females and males in pairs.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Thanks!

 

[Iza]

Hi,
I have a small coop for my quail, with a tray as the floor. Autumn is coming with colder days and nights, and the flock started molting a couple of weeks ago and stopped laying. So I have recently insulated the coop and installed light with a timer to compensate for shorter daylight and an infrared heating lamp with a temp sensor so it only turns on when the temperature drops below 15C/59F at night and 20C/68F in day. 2 eggs appeared 2 days ago and one yesterday, so it seems it made them more comfy.
I am thinking of replacing wooden chips bedding, with sand. I thought it could be easier to clean and safer (inflammable) and allow them to sand bathe anytime.
Do you think it's a good idea?

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Hi y'all,
I've been toying with the idea of getting quail. I'm not sure if I will, but I have a few questions.
If I were to house quail outside, would I have to provide heat in the winter?
Would a coop work for them, or is a hutch better?
Sorry if they're common questions, just thought I'd ask. Thanks!

 

[Nabiki]

Hi,
I have a small coop for my quail, with a tray as the floor. Autumn is coming with colder days and nights, and the flock started molting a couple of weeks ago and stopped laying. So I have recently insulated the coop and installed light with a timer to compensate for shorter daylight and an infrared heating lamp with a temp sensor so it only turns on when the temperature drops below 15C/59F at night and 20C/68F in day. 2 eggs appeared 2 days ago and one yesterday, so it seems it made them more comfy.
I am thinking of replacing wooden chips bedding, with sand. I thought it could be easier to clean and safer (inflammable) and allow them to sand bathe anytime.
Do you think it's good idea?

View attachment 2350201

View attachment 2350202

Be careful of the type of sand you use. Construction sand is probably the best. It doesn't have any additives and doesn't clump like play sand does. Play sand can clump in the crop and cause issues.

 

[Nabiki]

Hi y'all,
I've been toying with the idea of getting quail. I'm not sure if I will, but I have a few questions.
If I were to house quail outside, would I have to provide heat in the winter?
Would a coop work for them, or is a hutch better?
Sorry if they're common questions, just thought I'd ask. Thanks!

Coturnix quail are quite cold hardy. As long as they have shelter and stay dry, they can handle freezing temperatures.

Button quail don't do well in cold weather, and I'm not sure about other types of quail.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Coturnix quail are quite cold hardy. As long as they have shelter and stay dry, they can handle freezing temperatures.

Button quail don't do well in cold weather, and I'm not sure about other types of quail.

Huh, thanks. This may change things a bit.

 

[Nabiki]

Huh, thanks. This may change things a bit.

Oh, I didn't answer about coop vs. hutch. Quail are ground birds, so they don't roost. I keep mine on the ground with boxes to hide in.

 

[Iza]

Be careful of the type of sand you use. Construction sand is probably the best. It doesn't have any additives and doesn't clump like play sand does. Play sand can clump in the crop and cause issues.

Good point, thanks! I use sand that was left over after laying paving around my house. I rinse it and then bake in the oven to sanitize it, and give it to the quails for bathing. I think it's seabed sand; it smells of sea when baked (I love it! ) and I find tiny shells in it, so I am glad to provide extra calcium to my birds and it does not seem to clamp, but i'll test it in the coop and see.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Oh, I didn't answer about coop vs. hutch. Quail are ground birds, so they don't roost. I keep mine on the ground with boxes to hide in.

No worries.
I see. I'll keep that in mind.
Thank you! I appreciate it.
I'm considering quail, but if decide to get them I have to work some things out with my current animals first.