Hello I'm into day 4 of having Quail. No eggs yet. They are in a 4'^2 box, last night I put leaves in there. I was getting tired of constantly cleaning the cage. It has greatly reduced the smell if not completely eliminated it (I keep them inside) I will continue layering the leaves. The box is 2' high as well. [Will be adding another box for more room to run around, and a sand shower room.] The girls seem to love it. They started lying down(lounging around really), and I feel like thats a great thing to help promote eggs to be laid: What are other sings that eggs are to come? Now I was handling the Quail, because they are still a novelty to me. I picked one up, I think I squeezed it too hard and it puked. It looks fine now, I don't think thats a question, probably looking for a comment on my derp. Lastly, the more natural their environment, ie: leaves on the ground instead of mesh, this should help promote better eggs and mood right? Thanks Zadien aka. Quail newby
What kind of quail? I have raised button and cortunix quail. The button quail built a nest after the full clutch of eggs were laid and then brooded; while laying the eggs were simply dropped in the same area. The coturnix dropped their eggs any where they happened to be.
If you pick up a quail with a full crop, especially if it just drank, it is likely to puke some up. Don't worry about it but do handle them gently, they are tiny. How many quail are in what size enclosure? If they are too crowded they will smell worse and need more frequent cleaning. Leaves are fine for bedding, but do change it when it gets soiled or smelly. BTW used quail bedding makes great compost for your garden!
4 cortunix added another box today so they have 8 ft' ^2 now. I've been putting leaves over their droppings. Seems to kill the smell. Once it gets bad, yeah ill change it.
If you keep adding things to their cage they may be curious and have to feel out their new addition while holding off the egg laying. In N.H.,Tony.
