Storing quail for one week

[dougan778]

Hello,

I will be getting 4 or 5 adult quail tomorrow that I need to keep alive for about a week before I pass them on to other owners (long story). I'm not really equipped for this sort of thing. I have a small dog travel kennel, maybe a little bigger than a 5 gallon bucket. Do you think I could keep them alive and well in there for a week, provided they were properly fed and watered?

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[James the Bald]

What are the dimensions of this dog kennel? If it does not provide "at least" one square foot per bird, then you may want to rethink your options.

 

[dougan778]

The kennel is 1x1x3. Maybe if I just got 3 they'd survive? I'd rather have 3 live ones than 5 dead ones.

 

[Sill]

They might survive but at such close quarters they cannot get away from each other if any of them get aggressive. Quail can damage each other a lot.

Can you get to a thrift store and get a larger used kennel? Borrow one?

 

[Quail Jailer]

3 square feet for 5 birds should be ok for a few days if they get aggressive, keep them in very low light.

All the moving and unfamilliar surroundings should keep them baffled and confused for a few days, this will reduce drama.

 

[dougan778]

They do love to fight. The biggest one beat the crap out of the other ones. I put some shoeboxes in there, though, for them to hide in and it has helped.