Quail transitioning to wire bottom cage

[cookiesdaddy]

I use this cage wire from amazon 1/2 x 1 grid. It's heavier gauge wire and better for quail feed. DC advised me on this and it's working out great for me.

I move chicks from paper towel floor to 1/4 inch hardware cloth after a few days, from 1/4 to 1/2 grid after a couple weeks, then from 1/2 to 1/2 x 1 after a 4-5 weeks.

 

[ryferre]

I use 1/4 inch wire for the first few days, then I switch them over to 1/2". The 1/4 will start to pick up dropping fairly quickly and require cleaning whereas the 1/2" tends to take care of itself. From my experience- this has saved their little feet and they grow so dang fast that it is easy to move them to a larger grid quickly.

 

[COsteveo]

I use 1/4 inch wire for the first few days, then I switch them over to 1/2". The 1/4 will start to pick up dropping fairly quickly and require cleaning whereas the 1/2" tends to take care of itself. From my experience- this has saved their little feet and they grow so dang fast that it is easy to move them to a larger grid quickly.

My fatal design flaw was thinking I should use 1/4" because it would be better for their feet. Maybe it is, but standing in their own droppings probably isn't. That was a troublesome fix.

 

[cookiesdaddy]

I use 1/4 inch wire for the first few days, then I switch them over to 1/2". The 1/4 will start to pick up dropping fairly quickly and require cleaning whereas the 1/2" tends to take care of itself. From my experience- this has saved their little feet and they grow so dang fast that it is easy to move them to a larger grid quickly.

That's good to know. I think I'll transfer this current batch (1 week) to 1/2" soon instead of waiting another week.