Quail Cage Cleaning Frequency - HELP!

[ARB1007]

I would be interested to see your birds in the cage....I completely understand the challenges of city ordinances. upon further inspection of the unit, it appears that you could keep 2-4 per section of cage depending on the size and personality of each individual.

I’m definitely ready to see what it looks like also! As soon as they get big enough not to fit through the holes, we will definitely try it. I’m sure it’s going to take some acclimating as well since I don’t know what sexes I have. Currently, I have them separated by color and personality and only 5 to a cage for the moment. I do have 1 bully that I know is a male but he’s by himself and will likely end up being my son’s pet. I will come back and update!

 

[Rooapalooza]

I probably didn't read thoroughly enough, but do you not have any backyard/fenced in area? Quail are fine being kept in cages so short/creative that your HOA would have to break into your private fenced in areas to see them. Not that they wouldn't... I caught one at my friend's house trying to sneak around to the back so they could levy a fine on where he keeps his trash can... visible from the road my butt...

It's a very good idea to have multiple areas to separate them, because for injury prevention I've had to separate mine into groups many times. But my own system is so easy, just light cages on the ground that I can move around every few days. Their poop is great for the grass, which grows back, and they get new dirt, which they love. Plus they are very stinky, so I wouldn't want them inside.

If it were me and I absolutely had to have them inside, I would still give them a dirt floor and some grass/sprouts/something to simulate outdoor time. But they also need lots of light, which is expensive, unless you have them near a sunny window... which most likely means inside inside; therefore stinky.

Where exactly are you keeping them?

 

[Kiki]

I’m definitely ready to see what it looks like also! As soon as they get big enough not to fit through the holes, we will definitely try it. I’m sure it’s going to take some acclimating as well since I don’t know what sexes I have. Currently, I have them separated by color and personality and only 5 to a cage for the moment. I do have 1 bully that I know is a male but he’s by himself and will likely end up being my son’s pet. I will come back and update!

Your babies are already a month old, right?

 

[ARB1007]

I probably didn't read thoroughly enough, but do you not have any backyard/fenced in area? Quail are fine being kept in cages so short/creative that your HOA would have to break into your private fenced in areas to see them. Not that they wouldn't... I caught one at my friend's house trying to sneak around to the back so they could levy a fine on where he keeps his trash can... visible from the road my butt...

It's a very good idea to have multiple areas to separate them, because for injury prevention I've had to separate mine into groups many times. But my own system is so easy, just light cages on the ground that I can move around every few days. Their poop is great for the grass, which grows back, and they get new dirt, which they love. Plus they are very stinky, so I wouldn't want them inside.

If it were me and I absolutely had to have them inside, I would still give them a dirt floor and some grass/sprouts/something to simulate outdoor time. But they also need lots of light, which is expensive, unless you have them near a sunny window... which most likely means inside inside; therefore stinky.

Where exactly are you keeping them?

Sorry for the late reply, it’s been pretty busy around here!
It’s ok if you didn’t thoroughly read it all! I do have a fenced in backyard but we are only allowed a specific number of “outbuildings” which if we were to build a cage would be considered and “outbuilding” which is why my husband bought the plastic cage. Our HOA is pretty nosy and they do what you mentioned, unfortunately. We do have multiple areas for separation and plenty of “hospital” wings should we need it. They are currently in rabbit crates at the moment located in our “mud room” which is located between our garage and house and is a finished/heated room with lots of ventilation, a sink, floor drains and a window. I do have cabinet puck lighting which is rated for daylight but dimmed it to where it’s not extremely bright. They were actually pretty affordable considering the regular aquarium lights are about $30 a piece but I got a set of 6 for $30 on amazon. It comes with a remote dimmer and everything! They are also on timers just in case we have a rainy day since the room does not get as much natural sunlight. Their cages are cleaned daily and we don’t have anything stinky thank god! We haven’t used that room for anything but now it has a purpose lol. I would be hard-pressed to keep them on the ground also if it weren’t for HOA because we have “bird dogs” that enjoys the backyard. Although we only have 2, they have brought me half dead gifts consisting of feathers, sometimes squirrels and garden snakes. We also have copperheads, raccoons, a few hawks and some other predators that I would not want to further attract by putting my fluffy friends outdoors. I hope that gives you some insight!

Your babies are already a month old, right?

Yes, they will be 5 weeks on Thursday. Amazingly, I’ve had a few crow over the weekend so we banded them. I don’t know how good I would be at vent sexing so I’m hoping they give me cues on what they are outside of the feathers! It would be extremely helpful!

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for the late reply, it’s been pretty busy around here!
It’s ok if you didn’t thoroughly read it all! I do have a fenced in backyard but we are only allowed a specific number of “outbuildings” which if we were to build a cage would be considered and “outbuilding” which is why my husband bought the plastic cage. Our HOA is pretty nosy and they do what you mentioned, unfortunately. We do have multiple areas for separation and plenty of “hospital” wings should we need it. They are currently in rabbit crates at the moment located in our “mud room” which is located between our garage and house and is a finished/heated room with lots of ventilation, a sink, floor drains and a window. I do have cabinet puck lighting which is rated for daylight but dimmed it to where it’s not extremely bright. They were actually pretty affordable considering the regular aquarium lights are about $30 a piece but I got a set of 6 for $30 on amazon. It comes with a remote dimmer and everything! They are also on timers just in case we have a rainy day since the room does not get as much natural sunlight. Their cages are cleaned daily and we don’t have anything stinky thank god! We haven’t used that room for anything but now it has a purpose lol. I would be hard-pressed to keep them on the ground also if it weren’t for HOA because we have “bird dogs” that enjoys the backyard. Although we only have 2, they have brought me half dead gifts consisting of feathers, sometimes squirrels and garden snakes. We also have copperheads, raccoons, a few hawks and some other predators that I would not want to further attract by putting my fluffy friends outdoors. I hope that gives you some insight!



Yes, they will be 5 weeks on Thursday. Amazingly, I’ve had a few crow over the weekend so we banded them. I don’t know how good I would be at vent sexing so I’m hoping they give me cues on what they are outside of the feathers! It would be extremely helpful!

Can you post pictures of your birds...so we can help you sex them?

 

[ARB1007]

Can you post pictures of your birds...so we can help you sex them?

I sure can when I get home from work today! That would be super helpful! The other cage isn’t up yet so I don’t have any pix of that. But I will when my husband puts it together.

 

[Nabiki]

I sure can when I get home from work today! That would be super helpful! The other cage isn’t up yet so I don’t have any pix of that. But I will when my husband puts it together.

When you take pictures, make sure to give us clear shots of their breasts.

 

[ARB1007]

When you take pictures, make sure to give us clear shots of their breasts.

You got it!

 

[Rooapalooza]

Sorry for the late reply, it’s been pretty busy around here!
It’s ok if you didn’t thoroughly read it all! I do have a fenced in backyard but we are only allowed a specific number of “outbuildings” which if we were to build a cage would be considered and “outbuilding” which is why my husband bought the plastic cage. Our HOA is pretty nosy and they do what you mentioned, unfortunately. We do have multiple areas for separation and plenty of “hospital” wings should we need it. They are currently in rabbit crates at the moment located in our “mud room” which is located between our garage and house and is a finished/heated room with lots of ventilation, a sink, floor drains and a window. I do have cabinet puck lighting which is rated for daylight but dimmed it to where it’s not extremely bright. They were actually pretty affordable considering the regular aquarium lights are about $30 a piece but I got a set of 6 for $30 on amazon. It comes with a remote dimmer and everything! They are also on timers just in case we have a rainy day since the room does not get as much natural sunlight. Their cages are cleaned daily and we don’t have anything stinky thank god! We haven’t used that room for anything but now it has a purpose lol. I would be hard-pressed to keep them on the ground also if it weren’t for HOA because we have “bird dogs” that enjoys the backyard. Although we only have 2, they have brought me half dead gifts consisting of feathers, sometimes squirrels and garden snakes. We also have copperheads, raccoons, a few hawks and some other predators that I would not want to further attract by putting my fluffy friends outdoors. I hope that gives you some insight!



Yes, they will be 5 weeks on Thursday. Amazingly, I’ve had a few crow over the weekend so we banded them. I don’t know how good I would be at vent sexing so I’m hoping they give me cues on what they are outside of the feathers! It would be extremely helpful!

Wow it sounds like you've got it well set up! I like most HOAs at least in theory, but sometimes there are petty people who let the smallest amount of power go to their heads. I don't have an HOA now, just retired nosy well-meaning neighbors keeping me on my toes .

You are definitely right to keep the dogs and quail far away from each other. Even if the dogs couldn't get at them, quail frighten easily and would probably live in a state of constant panic.

 

[Kiki]

That’s good to hear! I’m in there constantly poking around lol. Here is a picture of the layer cage.

Hey there!
How are the cages working out for you?
How many birds did you fit in each section?