Quail decorating

[MystOpal]

I hope whoever is reading this is doing well. I've got my quails that are almost 4 weeks old, and since they've been moved to their more or less permanent enclosure I've been thinking about decorating it a bit. I'd hate to anthropomorphize, but I'm pretty sure they are bored. So relating to this point, I've got a couple of questions. I've done my own research, but thought I should get a second opinion to counteract any bias I have.

My first question, is should I redecorate the enclosure regularly when I mix the pine pellets? I know this is something that's done with fish, but would it confuse/scare the quails more than help them?

Also, when it comes to adding outdoor branches or pieces of wood, how important is cleaning them? And if it's necessary, how should I do it? I read somewhere about wiping it down but does that also go for pine branches with the needles on them?

Furthermore, I have this lemongrass that I could set up in the cage. Is that a good idea to do, and if so how would cleaning it work, if I need to do that? It used to be outside so it might have bugs and whatnot for all I know.

And one last question, does feeding quails scraps work the same as chickens? I know one video I watched said that they won't eat scraps or anything other than their feed, but another differed.

Sorry for the many questions, and thank you for taking time out of your day.

Have a great day,
MystOpal

 

[Nabiki]

Decorating their pen is something completely up to you. Quail don't really like change much, though, so it's best not to rearrange things too much at any given time.

You only need to clean branches and such if they get too much poop on them. I would hose them off, let them dry, then put them back in. If there are bugs in there, the quail will probably eat them.

I wouldn't give quail much in the way of scraps. Their diet should not have more than 10% treats. They are also not quite as omnivorous as chickens, so you may end up with some just rotting in their pen.

Be aware that any live plants you put in with them will probably not be live for long. Quail love to peck at and destroy plants.

 

[MystOpal]

Thank you so much for the information! Just a quick clarification, for the branches coming from the outside, they won't bring potential diseases/parasites/etc to the birds?

 

[Nabiki]

There is a chance, but I would think it low.

 

[MystOpal]

There is a chance, but I would think it low.

Sounds great, thank you so much!

 

[Susan Skylark]

Pathogens don’t survive on dry, clean or cold surfaces, as living organisms they require warmth, moisture and a food source (organic material). A tile floor, a countertop, a tub, a dry dead branch…these are deserts to microbes and Protozoa. You don’t need antibacterial soap when just cleaning and drying a surface kills 99% of any bacteria that thought to survive there. While there are unique cases where they can hibernate inside a spore or form a biofilm in your toilet, in general if the surface is nonabsorbant, clean, dry, it isn’t likely to spread pathogens. Wood, rock, dead and dry leaves, should all be fine. They use lemon grass as an essential oil, I would be cautious exposing cats or birds to it in any amount as they can be sensitive. I toss the quail a little bird seed on occasion or if i cut up some celery I give the, the leaves but in general scraps aren’t a great idea, both nutritionally and as contributing to the messiness of the pen, rotting bits of fruit and vegetable scraps would definitely grow bacteria! I toss in dried lawn clippings and leaves on occasion and they love that and free bedding! I also tried having all sorts of hidey holes and branches when I switched from pens to a large group environment, yeah that lasted about a week! They didn’t ever hide in anything, just walked on it or pooped on it and it made finding eggs a chore.

 

[MystOpal]

Pathogens don’t survive on dry, clean or cold surfaces, as living organisms they require warmth, moisture and a food source (organic material). A tile floor, a countertop, a tub, a dry dead branch…these are deserts to microbes and Protozoa. You don’t need antibacterial soap when just cleaning and drying a surface kills 99% of any bacteria that thought to survive there. While there are unique cases where they can hibernate inside a spore or form a biofilm in your toilet, in general if the surface is nonabsorbant, clean, dry, it isn’t likely to spread pathogens. Wood, rock, dead and dry leaves, should all be fine. They use lemon grass as an essential oil, I would be cautious exposing cats or birds to it in any amount as they can be sensitive. I toss the quail a little bird seed on occasion or if i cut up some celery I give the, the leaves but in general scraps aren’t a great idea, both nutritionally and as contributing to the messiness of the pen, rotting bits of fruit and vegetable scraps would definitely grow bacteria! I toss in dried lawn clippings and leaves on occasion and they love that and free bedding! I also tried having all sorts of hidey holes and branches when I switched from pens to a large group environment, yeah that lasted about a week! They didn’t ever hide in anything, just walked on it or pooped on it and it made finding eggs a chore.

That sounds great, thank you for the info! I've actually got to mow the lawn soon so I'll have some grass to give them soon. If they don't really care about having hides, then I'll probably not add them. Thank you again for the information!

 

[Nabiki]

They want the hides. For shelter and a place to keep warm, if nothing else.

 

[MystOpal]

They want the hides. For shelter and a place to keep warm, if nothing else.

Oh, I see. Do you have a preferred way to make hides or should I just look online for some inspo? Currently I just have some ceramic pots turned on their sides but they are only about five inches across so getting a bit small for the quails. I never really see them hiding in them either.

 

[Nabiki]

I use cardboard boxes turned over and cut two holes in them. They also love the dollar store baskets. They feel hidden but can still see out of them. Again, cut two holes so they don't get trapped in case a bully chases them into one.