I will be getting Coturnix quail in the near future and I have a couple questions! We happen to have 18 wire bottom pens lining the walls of our back garage. They are about 4 ft long by 2.5 ft deep each and even have dropping catchers below. I had totally and utterly forgotten they were there as we've been using them as storage shelves the last thirty years. Before that they were used by my grandfather to raise meat rabbits. Just have to clean a couple out and throw fronts on them! My questions are: 1.) We keep our tractors and lawnmowers in that back shed. I know quail are a tad sensitive, so I'm wondering if the noise of the tractors every couple of days would be too much stress for them... or if they'd get used to it? 2.) Other than food and water, I am under the impression I need three things: A box with straw or shavings for them to lay in if they decide to do it somewhere other than the floor, a dust bin, and a place for them to hide in. Is that correct? 3.) What exactly is used for the quail to dust in? sand? dirt? Thanks!
The noise will definitely stress them out. If they are young enough, they may adapt. Adult quail not so much. They don't necessarily need a place to lay as many quail will just lay their eggs anywhere. But some quail really love a hidy place. My birds love to make nests out of grass hay I use as bedding. However most birds on wire will lay their eggs where ever the bird happens to be. Quail do like privacy and places to linger during the day. Wild quail spend their days hiding under brush. So you can put some fake foliage or cut branches in the pens to give it that natural feel. This will also help them from flushing when scared and boinking their heads on the ceiling. Make sure to give them 1 to 2 square feet per bird. Give them places to get off the wire to protect their feet pads and legs. Maybe a place in the corner with some bedding on plywood. Also a low pan full of sand or dirt so they can dust bathe.