Quail in the Brooder.....GROSS, What should I do ! !

[Cynthia12]

I've seen seen pictures of the pelleted..I think I will look for some of that. Probably won't have to change as often as I do now. I do have wire underneath the kitchen liner, that is 1/4 inch squares, so also wondering if that is small enough when they get older. It's pretty small.

 

[momw2cutekids]

Thanks Everyone for the great ideas

- I did move them all onto the shavings the other day and so far that has helped. Plus, I did pull the poo off their toes - There are 2 things I can't stand, poop and a smell....I'm sure I'm in the wrong hobby but, I do try to keep everything as clean as possible ! ! !
I have been thinking the same thing about making some kind of wire frame for them but, I have to find really small holed wire I think in order for it to work !

 

[mhwc56]

just a note of warning about "pulling" what sticks to their feet off...hold the foot under warm running water to do that as you can pull parts of the toes off in the process if you do it dry.

i use shelf liner for the first 2-4 days, then i switch to paper towels which roll up all the mess real easy into a pile for throwing out then when they're about 10 days old i switch to coarse pine shavings and use those until they can go into the cages with hardware cloth bottoms.

 

[Cynthia12]

So I decided to put something down other than the liner. They love this stuff! Plus, it allows some of the wire be there, so their feet are getting used to feeling it. I won't be keeping this, just for a while, I also bought some pellets for when they get a bit bigger.
And, I got some sand, they love it too..they are so cute to watch.

Here's a close up of the paper stuff/pet bedding...

 

[CapricornFarm]

After paper towels for a couple days I switch to shavings so it looks less gross. I just put my 24 coturnix from the hatch along on wire, but put a piece of plywood under the light for them to warm up if needed. It is getting cold out there at night!

 

[_Randall_]

Everybody's got their most desired ways of doing stuff. Like happy said, I use the cheapest paper towels Dollar General has. What you want is something that "absorbs" the wetness of fresh poop. I've tried material like the foam stuff you wrap breakable stuff up in packages (that comes in big wide rolls)..........NOT GOOD........Won't Absorb = same problem you describe with "poopy feet".

I don't like the shelf/drawer liner stuff for the sole reason it doesn't absorb. I hearby advocate this is one case where "cheapest is best"!

 

[TheRealTimShady]

I am not sure with button quail but with coturnix I use paper towel for the first week and then move over to aspen wood shavings the rest of the time he button quail that I have now seen to like it very much

 

[shelleyd2008]

You don't plan to keep them on wire, do you? Buttons should be on solid flooring, you'd be surprised how big their poops can be...most of it won't fall through 1/4" wire.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
I'm not planning on them being on solid wire...that would hurt! I said here that I have also bought some pellets. The pet pellets. I thought they would be too hard on their feet right now, they are still pretty small.
But I got the kind that absorbs. When I clean out my tray, I'm surprised at what gets through! Even through the kitchen liner, may not be poop, but there is a lot of food and sand now. This stuff I have now is very absorbent.
I can see that they are doing fine on it. No sore feet, no poopy feet. All is well. Sure the pellets will be great.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

Quote:
I'm not planning on them being on solid wire...that would hurt! I said here that I have also bought some pellets. The pet pellets. I thought they would be too hard on their feet right now, they are still pretty small.
But I got the kind that absorbs. When I clean out my tray, I'm surprised at what gets through! Even through the kitchen liner, may not be poop, but there is a lot of food and sand now. This stuff I have now is very absorbent.
I can see that they are doing fine on it. No sore feet, no poopy feet. All is well. Sure the pellets will be great.

i always say, go with what works for you.