Plants Safe for Button Quail?

[maggienchamp]

I would like to put some different types of plants in my Button Quail's cages. I was thinking about Kale, Lavender, Swiss Chard, or Clover. I could probably only do 1 - 3 plants, as their cage isn't big enough to do anymore than that (18" L x 30" W x 30" H). It would be nice if the plant served a purpose, such as a treat for the Button's, an aid in odor control, or decoration for the cage (something pretty). Any thoughts?

 

[Stellar]

SAFE PLANTS

Acacia Aloe
African Violet
Baby's Tears
Bamboo
Begonia
Bougainvillea
Chickweed
Christmas Cactus
Cissus
Coffee
Coleus
Corn Plant
Crabapple
Dandelion
Dogwood
Donkey Tail
Dracena Varieties
Ferns
Figs
Gardenia
Grape Ivy
Hen's and Chickens
Herbs
Jade Plant
Kalanchoe
Kangaroo Vine
Marigold
Monkey Plant
Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Nasturtium
Natal Plum
Pepperomia
Petunia
Pittosporum
Prayer Plant
Purple Passion
Schefflera
Sensitive Plant
Spider Plant
Swedish Ivy
Thistle
Umbrella
Velvet Nettle
Wandering Jew
White Clover
Zebra Plant


Safe Trees

Apple
Arbutus
Ash
Aspen
Beech
Birch
Citrus
Cottonwood
Crabapple
Dogwood
Elm
Eucalyptus
Fir
Guava
Hawthorn
Larch
Madrona
Magnolia
Manzanita
Norfolk Island Pine
Nuts (except chestnut and oak)
Palms
Pear
Pine
Poplar
Redwood
Sequoia
Willow


POISONOUS


acorns

Agave, Maguey, Bayonet, Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Sap from the leaves, Seeds, Calcium oxalate raphides, Acrid volatile oils, Mechanically injurious Clinical Signs: Oral mucosa irritation, Contact urticaria, Skin: Immediate burning, erythema, urticaria, and edema, Granuloma reaction from punctures by leaves

Alcohol

Almond Plants / Seeds / plant-pan allergen profilin can cause serious reaction in some birds: Generally all plants of the Prunus genus EXCEPT the pulp of the fruit contain amygdalin or related glycosides which are slowly hydrolyzed to hydrocyanic acid. Some allergic reactions to almond nuts have been observed.

Alocasia

Amaryllis: Clinical Signs: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, appetite loss, tremors, drooling and abdominal pain

Angel's Trumpet (some species), seeds, leaves

Apple Seeds (small quantities ok)

*Apricot (seeds, wood)

Arrowgrass

*Autumn Crocus

Asparagus Fern - Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern - Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Berries, Sapogenins, Foliage Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Irritant, Cardiac, sedative, and diuretic effects

Autumn Crocus/Meadow - Saffron

*Avocado (any part of the plant -- including flesh, leaves, seeds, stem, skin)

Azaleas: Can cause weakness, upset stomach, drooling, heart failure, depression and possible coma

Baneberry
Bayonet
Beans: Broad, Castor, Glory, Fava, Horse, Mescal, Navy, Pregator, Scarlet Runner) - Large Beans: such as Anasazi, Black, Fava, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto, and Soy - should never be fed raw. However, thoroughly cooked are safe and healthy.

Beargrass

*Begonia

Bird of Paradise

Bitter Almonds*

Bittersweet
Black-eyed Susan
Black Locust

*Bleeding Heart

Bluebonnet
Bloodrot
Box
Boxwood
Bracken fern
Buckeye
Buckthorn
Burning Bush
Buttercup (Ranunculus)

Caffeine

*Caladium
*Calla Lily

Canada Yew
Candelabra
Cactus

*Castor Beans: Common Name: Castor Bean, Castor, Castor Oil Plant, palma Christi, Wonder Tree, Higuerilla, Steadfast Toxic Principle: Leaves, Seeds, Ricin, Ricinin Clinical Signs: Decrease blood pressure, Hypothermia, Decrease in blood glucose, Increase in serum hepatic enzymes: AST, ALT, LDH, Increase in BUN, calcium, phosphorous, Upset Stomach, Vomitting, Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Anorexia, Trembling, Weakness, Sudden Collapse, Seizures, Exercise intolerance, Ataxia, Slight Depression, Copious thick, ropy salivation, Thirsty

Catnip Common Name: Catmint, Catnip Toxic Principle: Volatile oil Clinical Signs: Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation

Ceriman
Cherry (seeds, wood)
Chinaberry

*Chinese Sacred or Heavenly Bamboo

Chocolate

*Choke Cherry (unripe berries)

Christmas Rose

Chrysanthemum: Results in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, drooling and appetite loss. Causes allergies in humans as it is a ragweed relative.

Clematis
Coriander
Coriaria
Cornflower
Corydalis
Crocus bulb
Croton (Codiaeum sp.)

Crown of Thorns aka Christ Plant, Christ Thorn, Crown of Thorns Toxic Principle: Miliamines, Terpenes, Diterpenes, Alkaloidal esters of diterpenoid ingenol, Stems: the juice, leaves, and thorns Clinical Signs: Eye irritation, Vomiting, Skin irritation, Diarrhea, Irritation to gastrointestinal tract

Curry Powder
Cyclamen bulb

Daffodil / Bulbs: Clinical Signs: Can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, convulsions, seizures, low blood pressure and tremors.

Daphne
Datura
Deadly Nightshade
Death Camas

*Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood

Dicentrea
Dieffenbachia

Dumb Cane aka Dumb Plant, Dumb Cane, Mother-in-law’s Tongue Plant Toxic Principle: Histamine poisoning, All parts: leaves, stems, sap, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals, Other toxins Clinical Signs: Swelling of throat, Impairment of speech, Excessive salivation, Pain and swelling of mouth, Skin rashes

Easter Lily

Eggplant: The leaves of the plant on which the eggplant fruit grows are poisonous, but the fruit itself is said to be safe. Some sources caution of overly ripe or under-ripe eggplant fruit.

Elderberry (unripe berries)
Elephant Ear

English Ivy

Fava Beans
Fig (Ficus)
Euonymus
Evergreen Ferns
Ficus

Fiddle-leaf Philodendron aka Tree Philodendron, Cut-leaf Philodenron Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue

Holly: Commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.


Four-o'clocks (Mirabilis)
Foxglove (Digitalis)

*Garlic (safe for birds in SMALL amounts)

Golden Glow
Gopher Purge
Hellebore
Hemlock
Henbane
Honeysuckle
Horsebeans
Horsebrush
Horse Chestnut
Hyacinth bulbs

*Hydrangea

Iris corms
Iris Ivy

*Jack-in-the-pulpit

Japanese Yew
Java Beans
Jessamine
Jerusalem Cherry

*Jimson weed

Jonquil
Jungle Trumpets

Kalanchoe aka Florist’s Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe, Palm Beach Belle Toxic Principle: Isoprene alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Cardiac bufadienolides, Bryotoxins, Non-toxic maybe - Clinical Signs: Labored respiration, Cardio-toxic effects, Excessive salivation, Digestive disturbance, Loss of interest in food and water

*Lantana

Larkspur
Laurel
Lily
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lily Spider
Lobelia (some species), all parts
Locoweed
Lupine species
Malanga
Marigold

*Marijuana or hemp (Cannibus)
*Milkweed

*Mistletoe Berries:A Christmas plant, ingestion can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death.

Mock Orange
Monkshood

*Morning Glory

Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms
Narcissus, daffodil
Nettles
Nectarine (seeds, wood)
Nightshade

*Oak

Oleander aka Rosa Laurel Toxic Principle: Seeds, Vase water, Whole plant, Smoke from burning, Cardioactive glycosides Clinical Signs: may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, slowing of heart-rate, abdormal heart beat patterns, heart failure and possible death.

*Onions (toxic to birds, small amount ok)

Peace Lilly

*Peach (seeds, wood)
*Pencil cactus plant

Peony
Periwinkle
Peyote Cactus

Philodendron aka Sweetheart Plant, Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue

Pimpernel
Plum (seeds, wood)
Poinciana

Poinsettia: Clinical Signs: Can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting

Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pokeweed
Poppy
Potato (green seed balls, green tubers; plant, leaves and stem)
Precatory beans
Privet
Rhododendron

*Rhubarb: Rhubarb leaves are poisonous but the edible rhubarb stalks are safe.

*Rosary Pea

Rubber Plant

Schefflera aka Umbrella Tree, Starleaf, Australian Umbrella Tree Toxic Principle: Entire Plant, Saponins, Falcarinol, Calcium oxalate, Oxalic acid Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Vomiting, Leukopenia, Loss of coordination, Irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue

Scotch Broom

*Shamrock (Oxalis sp.)

Skunk Cabbage
Snowdrops
Snow-on-the-Mountain
Spindle Tree, Euonymus (some species), leaves, fruit, bark
Spreading English Yew
Spurge (Euphorbia sp.)
Staggerweed
Starleaf
Star of Bethlehem

Sweet Pea - Lathyrus latifolius - L.: Although no records of toxicity have been found for this plant, the seed of some species in this genus contain a toxic amino acid that can cause a severe disease of the nervous system known as 'lathyrism' if they are eaten in large amounts (although small quantities are said to be nutritious)[65, 76]. Great caution is advised.http://www.pfaf.org

Tansy Mustard
Tobacco
Tomatoes (leaves and stem)
Tuffroot

Tulip: Clinical Symptoms: Can cause intense vomiting, depression, diarrhea, drooling and appetite loss.

Virginia Creeper
Walnut hulls
Water Arum

Weeping Fig

Wild Call Wisteria
Wild Calla
Wisteria
Yellow Calla

*Yew

Yucca aka Spineless Yucca, Soapweed, Spanish Bayonet Toxic Principle: Spines, Furostanols, Leaves, Saponins [steroidal], Spirostanols – sarsasapogenin Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Bloat, Diarrhea, Nausea, Mechanical damage

Zamioculcas - an indoor plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

 

[joe125]

Well..Kale,Swiss chard, and clover are all good with me. not sure about lavender.

The cage is going to stink...It just happens. Feed your birds 28-30% protein GBS and forget about the treats.

Oh yes...decoration, or something pretty....is more than useless!

Just some of my thoughts.

 

[The Critter Place]

Quote:
It has a little door on the front. It is actually a mesh cage made for reptiles, here is what it looks like -

http://www.petco.com/product/111932/Zilla-Fresh-Air-Screen-Habitat-for-Reptiles.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductDetail_2-_-Zilla%20Fresh%20Air%20Screen%20Habitat%20for%20Reptiles-111932

I'm hoping to get the Buttons to a point where opening the cage frequently won't bother them, but we'll see

I love that cage and want a few myself. lol...

Well...
Quaillady beat me to the safe list. lol.. I had to leave for last min. shopping.

I have mint and Rosemary in my walk in Aviary, but no birds yet, so I don't know how bad they may nibble. Another thing you could do is shallow dishes or bird seed grass. Just plant a simple finch seed mix and it will grow like grass.

ETA: Plant several a few days apart and you can just rotate them.

 

[DanielleInUro]

I have a big pot of oregano in my quail aviary. They jump up in it and use it for cover, and one of them sleeps in it. One each sleep in all four plants I have in there--one each in the two tomatoes, one in the banana pepper, and one in the oregano. I believe those are my "rich people" quail with their fancy condos, although the joke's on them because their homes flood every couple of days. I've never seen anyone actually eat any of the plants, which is good because the tomato plants probably wouldn't be great for them. Mine are coturnix rather than button, so your mileage may vary.

 

[The Critter Place]

What kind of opening is on this cage? Is it a tank?

Although planted sounds nice, I would think the constant removing of the plant to water would cause a lot of stress to the birds.

 

[maggienchamp]

Quote:
It has a little door on the front. It is actually a mesh cage made for reptiles, here is what it looks like -

http://www.petco.com/product/111932/Zilla-Fresh-Air-Screen-Habitat-for-Reptiles.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductDetail_2-_-Zilla%20Fresh%20Air%20Screen%20Habitat%20for%20Reptiles-111932

I'm hoping to get the Buttons to a point where opening the cage frequently won't bother them, but we'll see

 

[maggienchamp]

Any other suggestions guys?

 

[navasima]

Alex - quail LADY that you are - I must say:
You are the MAN!!

Now to which avain species does this list apply? Quail only? - and is that all types?

Thanks OP - I was going to ask the same question soon!

ETA: I just realized! I can make a space with (scarlet) begonias and (sugar) magnolias and have a pair of buttons named Dehlia and Billy DeLion!

yeah...I'm going to time out now......

 

[Stellar]

Quote:
This applies to birds in general but it was a compilation a while back in a thread I copied and pasted here from what I wrote.