New to button quail and need pen ideas.

[paddock36]

My 9 year old son wanted button quail and got a really good deal and purchased a trio of silver buttons now we need some ideas on a pen for them. Can someone post a picture of what you keep your button quail in? Can they stay outside? I'm in central Florida so the weather is pretty warm most of the time. Can the pen be on the ground or should they be off the ground?

 

[shelleyd2008]

They should be off the ground, but have a solid floor. In central FL, you should be able to leave them out year round, providing they have shelter from the elements. You might need to cover their pen when it gets serious.

Mine are currently in a rat manor cage, which is divided (top and bottom). There are 7 buttons in the bottom part, and 6 in the top. Way too many, but no major problems thus far.

They need like 6 sq ft (I think) minimal space for a pair, so a trio would need more room. Are you sure they are a trio (1 male and 2 females)?? Most people don't know how to sex them, and sellers often take advantage of that.

I keep mine on the covered porch right now, but they will come back inside once it starts to cool off. It gets too cold to keep the little guys outside year-round here! I miss Florida!

 

[paddock36]

Thanks for your reply and yes we are sure they are a trio. The male has a white band around his neck and the females do not. I have a cage that needs some work but thought I might be able to fix it for them but it only about 3' by 4'. Do they need nest boxes or a closed area to hide in like a minature coop?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Oh yes, they also should have some 'scenery', like fake (or real) plants, something for them to hide in. I have some critter cottages for mine, they are little grass huts basically. They always lay their eggs in there, and I've even had some that went broody on me. If they have plenty of room (3x4 is HUGE for 3 buttons!) and have plenty of things to hide in, under, or around, they could possibly brood for you! Just make sure the wire is no bigger than 1/2", cause even the adults can get through 1" wire. But they don't like to be chilled, that's why it's best for them to not be on the ground. If they get wet, they chill very easily. I normally keep mine covered on rainy days, since there is always a chill in the air.

And the bib is not a sure-fire way of sexing, some females can have that too. The only 'almost fool-proof' way to sex them is that only males (normally) have red/rust/pink colored feathers on their vents. But not all males do, so it's kind of tricky. Mostly colors like white, splash, and pied don't, but some silvers don't either.

ETA: But remember they are ground-dwellers, so they don't need much height. They like to hide when they lay eggs, my little houses are just tall enough for them to walk in without hitting their heads. It makes them feel safe to be hidden.

 

[paddock36]

The wire on this cage is the very very tiny hardware cloth maybe 1/8 inch size. Do you have any pictures of the grass huts you described? Did you make them or buy them? I thought maybe I could recreate them if you didn't mind.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Here ya go, I bought them online, but they were only a few dollars each, plus shipping.

Don't get these-->

They hate them!! The babies love it though

 

[paddock36]

Hey thanks again for the help. I know just what to get. I've seen those at the pet store too.