Winter water for Coturnix

[MeanCheek]

As of right now I'm breaking iced up quail waters three times a day, then I saw this at Murdoch's and wondered if it could work?

 

[Nabiki]

That looks like it could work, depending on how many quail and how big it is. I could see that for a group of 10 or so quail.

 

[BReeder!]

View attachment 2949762As of right now I'm breaking iced up quail waters three times a day, then I saw this at Murdoch's and wondered if it could work?

I raised and bred/hatched a lot of quail for two years. I had over 100 at once. I was using cup style founts on my watering rig, but they were in the garage for the winter. If you can get them to use nipple water founts, which I've heard people have success doing, I would suggest a large 3 gallon heated waterer with nipples. I really like the Farm Innovators one I have: https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...Q1fJhDhednrpak2OiU_5HlrzA8HszV3IaAoVnEALw_wcB

 

[MeanCheek]

Thank you.

 

[MeanCheek]

I think I'll try it.

 

[neo71665]

Might work but the nipple installed might be too big for the birds

 

[yakitori]

I only have 5 adults right now, so I'm simply adding water to their feed to make a fluffy cous cous texture feed and providing straight water once a day. It seems to be working well, none of them are going crazy when the fresh water comes unlike they do when they're on dry feed and I forget to top up their water.

 

[maycwindu]

I only have 5 adults right now, so I'm simply adding water to their feed to make a fluffy cous cous texture feed and providing straight water once a day. It seems to be working well, none of them are going crazy when the fresh water comes unlike they do when they're on dry feed and I forget to top up their water.

Seconded. Watering their feed has greatly reduced demand for water after gorging themselves. Before doing this I had to keep two rabbit waterers for 10 quail, now just one is totally sufficient (though I'll add the second one back in during the summer).

I don't have to deal with frozen water in the morning. But for fun I've thought of ways for folks who keep a small number of quail outdoors who do. Someone ought to invent a thermos with a screw in nipple, then water will stay insulated through the night and won't freeze! Maybe add in some electrolytes or other solutes to lower the freezing point.

 

[neo71665]

Just put a bird bath heater in a 2 gallon bucket with nipples.

My first winter I had mine water hooked up to a pump that kept it flowing. It worked but I reworked my water system now and have a heater in it.

 

[MeanCheek]

They have figured it out and use it as their only water, but they do still prefer snow or open water.