Thank you, Quailsong, for posting this wonderful "how-to"! As I'm getting my first quail in the next month (FINALLY) and have been struggling with the best way to set things up for the time being, reading this has helped me decide to go the "deep litter" method. But, now I have some questions as I get everything together before I get the quail. I'm going to be getting (hopefully) two sets of four (3 hens and 1 rooster per set), jumbo sized coturnix. I'm putting each set into a portable rabbit cage (47x22 inches) with a 7.5 inch deep plastic tray. They'll be out within my screened pool area, but if necessary, I'm hoping they'll be easily moveable. (Thus the "portable" cage idea.) There, that's the basic info. Now, the questions!
Should I put holes of some sort into the plastic tray? I'm not foreseeing it getting flooded, but I do get the random torrential downpour that will probably dampen the litter a little more than it should be.
I've been reading that putting DE onto deep litter for chickens is often done, is this fine for the quail as well? I'm a believer in DE for bug control.
Wood ash...*sigh* I live in a 10b/11 gardening zone and everyone wants me to use wood ash. I simply do not ever have a fire and my friends that do, won't be until the weather gets down past 80 at least. Is there something that will substitute for wood ash? I've read for chickens (because everything except this thread is about chickens) some people use garden lime, is this a substitute for wood ash or just something different?
Grass clippings...another *sigh*. The lawn service mulches it all straight into the yard. Sometimes there are soggy clumps, but not often. How about something like alfalfa? Could this work as a "grass" substitute? I could even figure a way to chop it, I'm sure.
Dried leaves. (I'm beginning to feel like there is nothing here to make this work!) Nope, no dried leaves. My mango tree drops leaves, but mango trees have a caustic sap that I wouldn't want to try. I do have a few other trees, but they really don't drop leaves at any one time in any quantity. Would the alfalfa work for this, too? Or? I can get mulched wood (like I use around plants), would this be okay?
Garden soil...I have garden sand. The only soil I have is in those areas I've been gardening in for the past 4+ years. Is this what I should use? I also have worm castings, both semi-dry and soggy. I can make these totally dry, if that would be best. Or, no castings, just garden dirt?
Oh, and with the deep litter, do they ALSO need a sand box?
I'm pretty certain I'm over-thinking this, I generally do when I first start a new project, but I want these quail to be in as nice conditions as I can currently provide (I'd love to have them out in the yard in a tractor or something, but until I get a fence and have a good talk with the lawn guys, that'll have to wait.) I'm currently expanding my herb garden efforts and planting various greens for them (preparation!) but getting the right litter mix so it all comes together is my current stumbling block.
ANY advice or suggestions would be welcome!
Should I put holes of some sort into the plastic tray? I'm not foreseeing it getting flooded, but I do get the random torrential downpour that will probably dampen the litter a little more than it should be.
I've been reading that putting DE onto deep litter for chickens is often done, is this fine for the quail as well? I'm a believer in DE for bug control.
Wood ash...*sigh* I live in a 10b/11 gardening zone and everyone wants me to use wood ash. I simply do not ever have a fire and my friends that do, won't be until the weather gets down past 80 at least. Is there something that will substitute for wood ash? I've read for chickens (because everything except this thread is about chickens) some people use garden lime, is this a substitute for wood ash or just something different?
Grass clippings...another *sigh*. The lawn service mulches it all straight into the yard. Sometimes there are soggy clumps, but not often. How about something like alfalfa? Could this work as a "grass" substitute? I could even figure a way to chop it, I'm sure.
Dried leaves. (I'm beginning to feel like there is nothing here to make this work!) Nope, no dried leaves. My mango tree drops leaves, but mango trees have a caustic sap that I wouldn't want to try. I do have a few other trees, but they really don't drop leaves at any one time in any quantity. Would the alfalfa work for this, too? Or? I can get mulched wood (like I use around plants), would this be okay?
Garden soil...I have garden sand. The only soil I have is in those areas I've been gardening in for the past 4+ years. Is this what I should use? I also have worm castings, both semi-dry and soggy. I can make these totally dry, if that would be best. Or, no castings, just garden dirt?
Oh, and with the deep litter, do they ALSO need a sand box?
I'm pretty certain I'm over-thinking this, I generally do when I first start a new project, but I want these quail to be in as nice conditions as I can currently provide (I'd love to have them out in the yard in a tractor or something, but until I get a fence and have a good talk with the lawn guys, that'll have to wait.) I'm currently expanding my herb garden efforts and planting various greens for them (preparation!) but getting the right litter mix so it all comes together is my current stumbling block.
ANY advice or suggestions would be welcome!