Quail Beddings

[BrandonsBirbs]

Curious what everyone uses as their beddings for their quail setups.

I used to use wire bottoms on all the setups, because I don't like cleaning them out very often. I do miss the wire because it was so easy to clean.

Now I am using modified XL guinea pig indoor cages with plastic bottoms. They're pretty big and I use large wood shavings and just add more once a week. It's okay, easy to clean once a month or so, but it STINKS and I think it's because it's somehow constantly getting moisture in it.

I want to use something else that I maybe don't have to clean so much and doesn't smell so bad. I've considered sand or dirt but the cage bottoms would then be very heavy to lift and my spine ain't great so not sure I could do it. (My cages are on 70cm high platforms so I don't have to bend down).

Used to use horizontal nipple waterers but I didn't feel like the quail were drinking enough so I went back to my hanging waterers.. however I think the moisture is coming from them knocking it. Pretty tried ATM so haven't thought of a solution to that other than putting them on bricks instead of hanging them

 

[Nabiki]

I keep mine on dirt. When I finish all of the garden beds in my greenhouse, I'll be rotating them from bed to bed as I harvest.

 

[ButtonNomies]

I keep mine on fake grass on top of wire ... it gets hoovered every day, Then I take it out n soak it once a month. With my tanks I use wood shavings too on top of puppy pads, they get cleaned out once a week as thts how long it goes without smelling aweful. I dont think u can get away with just putting fresh shavings on top of soiled ones, u need to chuck the old out to be rid of the smell.
The fake grass is a lot easier. U need to use a hose hoover with a brush attachment to get all the dried on poop off but it takes me 10 mins to clean them out and zero costs involved. I dont know if it would work on a solid base because of ventilation but u could give it a try n get a cheap off cut xx

 

[vall]

Peat is lighter than dirt, and it's less smelly than shavings, but it is dusty. PDZ helps with the smell.

I also use the watering cups so they don't spill.

 

[Marzeebars]

My quail are kept outside in a large rabbit hutch with a wooden bottom. I use pine shavings for their bedding. If I am feeling lazy I go with a deep litter method every week and just throw fresh bedding in. It’s outside with good ventilation, so I don’t notice a strong odor.

Every three weeks or so I scrap out all the bedding and start fresh. My flock has recently grown, so I am expecting to need to increase my frequency of deep cleanings.

I have also used straw, which I disliked, and “flock fresh bedding” which was a mixture of chopped straw, chopped alfalfa, and “zeolite granules.” The flock fresh worked really well and didn’t smell bad at all, but a 2 cubic feet bag cost the same as a 16 cubic feet bag of pine shavings and to be honest I have not noticed a difference in quality or experience.

 

[tjd85]

Mine are in a double 6ftx2 rabbit hutch. The rabbits on the bottom bunk and the quail up top. I use megazorb as a bedding. It's actually for horses but it's very effective and cheap. I turn it over one a week and do a full clean every 2 weeks. It could also be topped up for a deep litter method.

 

[The Birb King]

I use pine shavings for my quail. They are comfortable and absorbent, smell nice, and are easy to clean. Also please dont keep your quail on wire floors. It can really hurt their feet and cause sores, bumblefoot, etc