New to BYC hatching quail

[Oilytoe90]

I haven't used barely straw, but I've heard the problem with straw in general is that it doesn't dry out enough and may hold mites. I think the reason some people use pine pellets (people use it as cat litter) is that it dries out the poop so it isn't super moist, and if you leave it relatively unwet at first it's in the pellet form so it doesn't spread as much. Also I've found mixing it up to get the poop not on the top is easy, and you could put more pellets on top. It doesn't completely get rid of the smell but I haven't had to clean it in the last three ish weeks since it dries the poop so it's not getting on the quails feet too much. Honestly though you could use the barely and then if you don't like it just add another substrate in on top later. It also depends on what you want to do with the substrate, I'm hoping to do a deep litter method so I want to have a substrate that works with that and it's indoor so not having as much mess.

Having some straw for them to pick at and have fun might also work, I actually put some lemongrass pieces that were dried out and it's already been spread around the cage so I guess they found it interesting, so if maybe you did some sort of combined straw and another substrate if you decided to switch but still had straw left over.

Sorry I kinda love blabbing about info!

For the crowing, it doesn't really sound like a rooster, but they do crow. It's louder than what they usually sound like, but not anything crazy. It's kind of a warble I feel like. I was so excited when I first heard it but then he didn't do it again until the next day. If I had caught it on video I'd send it to you. Actually, the guy that crowed seemed to have a deeper voice than the other ones, when he complained as I picked him up it was a more throaty sound than a cheep. Might be bias since I already knew he was a guy from the coloring but I thought I'd share that with you.

Thanks so much for all your help. Really appreciate it x

 

[MystOpal]

Thanks so much for all your help. Really appreciate it x

Of course! That's just my experience though so feel free to do your own research to see what works best for you. Have a great day and I'm glad you joined BYC!