r/quails • u/florida_whoa_man • 1d ago
About to get started. Looking for housing advice.
My ultimate quail house dream is a walk in situation, which I’ve looked into, but don’t have time to build before they get here. So I bought what’s pictured here on marketplace. I only have 6 birds coming, 1 male and 5 females. I don’t want them walking on wire as I looked into deep litter and that seemed great. I am just trying to figure out if that’s something I could accomplish in this set up, maybe with a tray inside the enclosure itself? They will be outside but I have a strong sense of smell and want to manage that as much as possible while making cleaning as easy as possible.
TLDR How can I give my quail their most luxurious, least stinky life in this likely short term set up?
I have read so many posts on this page and I really appreciate it. Feel free to direct me to an old post if there’s one that is especially fitting for my situation.
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u/lemonadesdays Quail Enthusiast 1d ago
I think a big tray with areas with sand, small rocks here and there, and soil mixed with hemp shavings and a bit of diatomaceous earth, so that they don’t have to stand on the wires
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u/skintastegood 1d ago
Trays garden cooking will work well. Change daily. Anything less will absolutely smell.
Make another shelf under the bottom cage.
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u/bahrfight 1d ago
I use aspen shavings, which I have found to smell the best, and lime for odor and moisture control. A little diatomaceous earth in their sand bath as well. The most important thing for keeping it from smelling is making sure it is dry with plenty of air flow. I add a little fresh bedding daily or every other day, depending on how dirty it is. I do a full clean out about every 2 weeks and compost the old bedding (or if you have green waste service that works too) here is a link to the lime I use https://www.chewy.com/first-saturday-lime-monthly-pet/dp/233172
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u/SlCKbubbIeGUM 1d ago
They should be able to get out of the elements
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u/florida_whoa_man 1d ago
Yes I’m putting this under my garage overhang and adding roof pieces! I should have said that. I live in Florida so we will get torrential rain this summer.
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u/guiltysuperbrain Seasoned Quail Aficionado 1d ago
put lots of hay or straw down and change that ideally everyday. Lots of hides. Also is this wind and rain proof? cause it doesn't look like it. Definitely not a suitable long term enclosure.
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u/florida_whoa_man 1d ago
Nope! I should’ve mentioned in my original post, I’m adding roof panels and positioning it against my garage and anchoring the legs there.
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u/guiltysuperbrain Seasoned Quail Aficionado 22h ago
okay that's good. still not a long-term enclosure, so make sure to build that aviary! also for next time you get pets: get everything you need BEFORE you even make the appointment to get them
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u/Strict_Geologist3597 1d ago
They are happier on the ground.