quail feces problem

[birdmaniac3000]

for the past few days i noticed my quail eating their own poo when i feed them they are healthy but why would they eat their own poo could it be that their stressed or something is wrong that i haven't noticed none of my other quail are doing it. they are my adults does anyone have a answer any help is much appreciated.

 

[B. Kossum]

I've got some young 4-6 week old coturnix. I've noticed that if I wake up in the morning and their feed is empty then their cage is a little cleaner lol. No lie.

 

[birdmaniac3000]

i know mine eat all of their feces and they also leave their cage clean

 

[kahlertm]

I think that so long as you are providing the proper food in Game Bird Starter, and have lots of it, ground to cornmeal consistancy, it is somewhat of a normal thing. Quail peck at all things, including each other as a naturally occuring behavior. I have seen it in the button quail as well. Even with fresh food available close by. I believe these ground dwelling birds have a natural instinct to explore and scavenge food from the ground around them.

In short I think it normal, but do continue to provide environmental enrichment such as a millet seed sprig, or fresh baby spinach leaves as an alternative to feces.

Tonya

 

[Little_Bigfoot]

if you look at diseases common in quail (i.e. black head etc. ) you will see that they are transmitted through fecal matter so you may want to put the birds on wire or re-evaluate your bedding. but birds will be birds.

 

[kahlertm]

Excellent point L Bigfoot. Perfect. Get em up on wire where they can't eat it. Ounce of prevention = pound of cure. What was I thinking....?

Tonya