What should I do before getting quails? (as pets)

[metapuns]

I'm trying to convince my parents to let me get 2 pet quails, but honestly I'm a bit lost myself.
I plan to keep a large rabbit/rodent cage with aspen bedding, dust bowl, hideaway, etc. outside and just bring them in my home when I want to spend time with them. I have a large backyard so supervising them is an option and let them graze. My biggest problem right now is feed... What kind of feed would a pet, not meat or egg, quail need? Also, what should I know about quails as pets?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Why do you want quails in the first place ? Are you getting them for eggs ?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

 

[Coffgirl]

I'm new with quail too.
but I'm gonna say.
make sure that 2 quails are female..
because if they're all male you'll have to separate them eventually.
and if they're female and male it's a chance that you'll end up separate them like mine.
I have 2 quails as a pet as well. they're male and female.
and now they're separated because the male turns aggressive and over bred the female.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Don't take them in and outside. A rabbit cage isn't enough protection against predators (snakes, rats, etc) and the elements. You either need to give them a proper enclosure outside, wrapped in hardware cloth to make it predator-proof, or keep them inside all the time.
If you want them outside, get coturnix, at least half a dozen, either all male or with only one male. If you want them inside, two button quail. They don't have to be two females, a male and a female generally get along alright, but definitely not two males.
Feed them gamebird starter from your local feed store, plus insects (you can get dried mealworms) and fresh greens as treats. They'll also need a bowl of grit to pick at.

 

[metapuns]

Why do you want quails in the first place ? Are you getting them for eggs ?

No, I want to keep them as pets

Don't take them in and outside. A rabbit cage isn't enough protection against predators (snakes, rats, etc) and the elements. You either need to give them a proper enclosure outside, wrapped in hardware cloth to make it predator-proof, or keep them inside all the time.
If you want them outside, get coturnix, at least half a dozen, either all male or with only one male. If you want them inside, two button quail. They don't have to be two females, a male and a female generally get along alright, but definitely not two males.
Feed them gamebird starter from your local feed store, plus insects (you can get dried mealworms) and fresh greens as treats. They'll also need a bowl of grit to pick at.

Would 2 female coturnix be fine indoors in a large rabbit cage? Also, I've seen people keep them under blue tarp. Would that help?

 

[Fishkeeper]

Two coturnix isn't enough to fill their social needs, get button quail instead.
Blue tarp does nothing for predators.
You can absolutely keep two button quail in a large rabbit cage, as long as you pad the inside of the top with cloth so they don't hurt themselves if they get startled and jump up. Keep in mind that they're flighty birds, not really all that cuddly, and will take some time to get used to you. As long as you're aware of that and keep cats and other animals far away from them, buttons are great pets.

 

[metapuns]

After some thought, I think I'm going to get a cockatiel instead. My family is very iffy on the thought of a more "wild" bird and we have a cat so them going out of the cage is out of the question

 

[Fishkeeper]

Cockatiels are small parrots, keep that in mind. They need about as much mental simulation as the average human toddler (lots of toys, frequently replaced due to chewing), and they cannot be kept in their cage all the time unless you have a cage the size of a closet. They need out-of-cage time, they need to fly, and they need significant amounts of social interaction from you. They can also live up to 30 years if cared for properly. They need a good pellet diet, not just seeds, and must be provided with fresh foods regularly.
Button quail are domesticated, not wild, and don't ever need to come out of the cage if it's large enough. They only live a few years, also, and are happy in smaller space with fewer toys.
Unless you're up for a 30-year commitment to an animal that's probably going to take up at least as much of your time as a dog would, without the mindless love that dogs offer, you want quail instead of cockatiels.

Alternately, consider a few silkie chickens. They can be kept in an outdoor pen (a proper one, not a rabbit cage) and brought inside sometimes, are cat-resistant, are in no way wild, and very quickly become tame and affectionate.