Quail bedding or wire?

[Creede]

In most cage setups, it's apparent that wire mesh is used for quail flooring. Is this superior to bedding that you would need to clean out?

I would still need to clean the tray that catches everything through the wire mesh. Is this easier than changing out bedding? Would I need to replace the bedding so often that it becomes an annoying expense?

In the winter, is it suggested to make any provisions with a wire mesh flooring setup?

A general pro con list would be helpful. I've got eggs coming to hatch out myself. So far, I've considered aviary, tractors and cages. Unfortunately, a cage setup (outside) is starting to make the most sense. I prefer to provide animals with a good habitat for a happy life (even if they're for eggs and meat).

 

[catesquire]

It gets to -40 in my area in winter, so bedding is a must to keep their feet from freezing on wire. I also like the look of bedding better when showing my hens off to friends. If I had more space, I'd put them on the ground in a little greenhouse, since I really like the idea of deep litter to make infinite compost for my garden. I also like the idea of quail tractors, especially as a grow out cage, but don't have one set up yet.

 

[Creede]

It gets to -40 in my area in winter, so bedding is a must to keep their feet from freezing on wire. I also like the look of bedding better when showing my hens off to friends. If I had more space, I'd put them on the ground in a little greenhouse, since I really like the idea of deep litter to make infinite compost for my garden. I also like the idea of quail tractors, especially as a grow out cage, but don't have one set up yet.

I’m liking a lot of what you’re saying. If only my backyard was bigger…

What does the maintenance of bedding look like? Do you have to change it out often, or how often do you add to it? Does it stink?

I’m in the panhandle of Texas. We have 100-110 degree dry summers, but there’s a couple months in the winter where we stay around freezing and have a couple days that drop down to the teens.

 

[Nabiki]

I don't care for wire flooring. It may be easier to clean, but it is hard on their feet. As mentioned above, it's also not good for cold weather. No matter what, they will need a place to rest their feet from the wire if you don't want them to develop bumblefoot or other foot/leg issues.

Bedding does need to be cleaned, and cleaned often. They get stinky fast. If you want an alternative, you can use garden dirt and dump it out to compost when it gets dirty.

 

[Creede]

I don't care for wire flooring. It may be easier to clean, but it is hard on their feet. As mentioned above, it's also not good for cold weather. No matter what, they will need a place to rest their feet from the wire if you don't want them to develop bumblefoot or other foot/leg issues.

Bedding does need to be cleaned, and cleaned often. They get stinky fast. If you want an alternative, you can use garden dirt and dump it out to compost when it gets dirty.

Noted on the wire. I don’t like the thought of it, but that’s majority of diy videos and pictures on the internet for cages.

What is the amount of time for often to change out bedding? I’m sure there’s no magic number, but do you have something to give me an idea?

Do you suggest pine shavings? Are flakes to big?

 

[catesquire]

I do pine flakes no problem; I feel like they're less dusty

How often to change them depends on:

What you're feeding them (do not feed Purina I started feeding it as an experiment thinking "surely it can't make them that smelly" and now I'm adding new bedding nearly every day, as opposed to weekly with their previous brand)

How many are in the cage (more birds = more poop. Shocking. There's a reason for the "one bird per square foot" recommendation)

The weather (if you have a stretch of rainy/high humidity days, the poop doesn't dry as well as on low humidity days, and the smell reflects that)

I usually add new wood shavings on top when the cage gets smelly, then do a deeper clean and swap out chips when the chip level gets too high. It's VERY little work in either case, just get yourself a cat litter scooper and a 5 gallon bucket to dump things in; I drop it in my compost bin. Takes maybe fifteen minutes on a deep clean day, though I only have one 6 sq ft cage.

I've also trained my birds to fluff/turn their own bedding by sprinkling in a pinch of seeds every now and again--gets them in the habit of digging everywhere, looking for treats! (Fluffing the litter helps it last longer, by introducing more air/getting it to dry faster; you can also do this periodically using your scooper if your birds suck at it. You will know they suck at it if you're getting mats of poop built up on the surface of your shavings.)

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

In most cage setups, it's apparent that wire mesh is used for quail flooring. Is this superior to bedding that you would need to clean out?

I would still need to clean the tray that catches everything through the wire mesh. Is this easier than changing out bedding? Would I need to replace the bedding so often that it becomes an annoying expense?

In the winter, is it suggested to make any provisions with a wire mesh flooring setup?

A general pro con list would be helpful. I've got eggs coming to hatch out myself. So far, I've considered aviary, tractors and cages. Unfortunately, a cage setup (outside) is starting to make the most sense. I prefer to provide animals with a good habitat for a happy life (even if they're for eggs and meat).

I use wire mesh, but only because I was gifted a wire based quail coop, 4 quail hens, and a breeding male. Their feet are pretty messed up at this point, with crooked or missing nails, and what looks like sores or mild bumble. I added a plank of wood, so they at least have the option to rest their feet. That said, many professionals still use wire, and it is considered a sort of industry standard.

 

[WildNectarine]

In most cage setups, it's apparent that wire mesh is used for quail flooring. Is this superior to bedding that you would need to clean out?

I would still need to clean the tray that catches everything through the wire mesh. Is this easier than changing out bedding? Would I need to replace the bedding so often that it becomes an annoying expense?

In the winter, is it suggested to make any provisions with a wire mesh flooring setup?

A general pro con list would be helpful. I've got eggs coming to hatch out myself. So far, I've considered aviary, tractors and cages. Unfortunately, a cage setup (outside) is starting to make the most sense. I prefer to provide animals with a good habitat for a happy life (even if they're for eggs and meat).

My crazy opinion? Massage table or other non-slick waterproof paper sheets, with exercise foam mat beneath. No, it is not easy, yes, it needs to be changed daily, yes, they can mess it all up and you’ll need sandbags or beanbags to weigh it down, but, it is the absolute healthiest option available. Wood shavings are toxic to all birds because of the scent oils in it, told to me by my vet. Will it kill them right away? Maybe not, but the scent’s overwhelming, and can definitely add to health and behavioral issues, not to mention the dust that will also add to health issues, which is why I don’t recommend sand, either, and ground birds were meant to walk on the ground, not fluffy stuff, it’s frustrating for them and hard on their legs and feet. As far as anything like soil goes? No way. That stuff can harbor god knows what in it, it’s impossible to fully clean, and it gets wet easy, and the problem with wet? Bumblefoot. Bumble is caused by two things, either sharp injury and infection, or slow pressure sores and then infection, the biggest component is wetness where that bacteria will grow in the first place, and it will grow all over soil and natural bedding at the first spill of a waterbowl, and over time from their droppings if you don’t spot clean daily. If you really have to do a soil-like, no wire, and outdoor set-up, I’d do construction sand, play sand can cause crop impactions because of its clumping action, you need small, but multi-grained sand, and make sure to mix in plenty of crushed granite grit so they have a selection, it will keep things dry, and you can get a sifter and sift through daily, change it all out monthly. But what I’d recommend, is a “pop-up” bed mosquito net, indoors, and with the paper + exercise mat setup, and an air purifier, or two, or three. The pop up net enclosure will ensure they can never hurt themselves in a flush, and give them plenty of space for very cheap. The paper is sanitary, and the foam pads will keep their feet healthy. Give them pop-up ferret tunnels and cardboard boxes to play and hide in, a few piles of hay, and some occasional treats stuffed and hidden in things, and they’ll live long, healthy, happy lives. One last thing, if you choose indoors, light has to be managed very carefully, but I won’t go into that. Hope this helps!

 

[Creede]

I do pine flakes no problem; I feel like they're less dusty

How often to change them depends on:

What you're feeding them (do not feed Purina I started feeding it as an experiment thinking "surely it can't make them that smelly" and now I'm adding new bedding nearly every day, as opposed to weekly with their previous brand)

How many are in the cage (more birds = more poop. Shocking. There's a reason for the "one bird per square foot" recommendation)

The weather (if you have a stretch of rainy/high humidity days, the poop doesn't dry as well as on low humidity days, and the smell reflects that)

I usually add new wood shavings on top when the cage gets smelly, then do a deeper clean and swap out chips when the chip level gets too high. It's VERY little work in either case, just get yourself a cat litter scooper and a 5 gallon bucket to dump things in; I drop it in my compost bin. Takes maybe fifteen minutes on a deep clean day, though I only have one 6 sq ft cage.

I've also trained my birds to fluff/turn their own bedding by sprinkling in a pinch of seeds every now and again--gets them in the habit of digging everywhere, looking for treats! (Fluffing the litter helps it last longer, by introducing more air/getting it to dry faster; you can also do this periodically using your scooper if your birds suck at it. You will know they suck at it if you're getting mats of poop built up on the surface of your shavings.)

This is extremely helpful and gives me an idea. What feed do you provide them?

 

[Creede]

I use wire mesh, but only because I was gifted a wire based quail coop, 4 quail hens, and a breeding male. Their feet are pretty messed up at this point, with crooked or missing nails, and what looks like sores or mild bumble. I added a plank of wood, so they at least have the option to rest their feet. That said, many professionals still use wire, and it is considered a sort of industry standard.

Thank you, no one seems to share this after they post about there wire cage setup.