As one of the most docile and easy to care for pets, raising quail can be an addicting hobby, especially once you learn about the many benefits of it. Quail is very friendly, cheap, tender, and can produce eggs that are considered very tasty in many countries. Before bringing a pair of quail into your home, you should prepare a quiet area, protein-rich feed, companion birds and fresh water every day.
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Method 1 of 5: Preparing a House for Quail
Step 1. Purchase a suitable cage for your quail
Because of their small size, quail can live in cages belonging to other animals, such as cages for guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, and other birds. There are two ways to prepare a cage, you can buy one or make your own.
- It is very important to provide a cage with a floor size of at least 10 inches square. Larger cages provide more space for the bird to walk, while smaller cages can stress the bird because it is difficult to move.
- Make sure that the wires in the cage are no more than 1.5 cm, as the quail can tuck its head into the larger gap. Due to the small size of their feet, quail is not suitable for placing in a wire-lined cage because it can fall and get caught. This can cause discomfort or even injury.
Step 2. Make sure you provide the best cage for the quail
Quail can be placed in a variety of cages, but there are some basic things that are needed to keep the cage comfortable and safe for the bird, namely:
- The cage should have easy access so you can pick up birds when needed, feed and provide water daily, and clean the cage easily every week.
- Quail should have shelter from rain, wind, extreme weather and sun. Remember, even though the cage must be equipped with shelter from wind and sun, fresh air and a little sunlight should still enter. If you can't find a cage with shelter, you can use a waterproof sheet (such as a tarpaulin) to protect the birdcage.
- The cage must be safe and protected from predators. Dogs, feral cats, mice, snakes, raccoons, and foxes can prey on quail if the cage is not secure enough. Small dogs can also dig under the cage to get in, birds can peck quail from the guardrails, while raccoons can put their hands through the wires to pick up birds.
Step 3. You can place quail with finches, canaries and budgies
Remember, if you do this, it's best to place quail and small birds in a large enough cage. Placing quail in small cages can be stressful for both quail and other small birds.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this option. On the plus side, you don't have to spend a lot of money on quail cages and the birds can "clean up" any seeds that other birds drop on the floor. The drawbacks are that quail can attack or be attacked by other birds, the cage gets dirty more easily, and the newly hatched quail can be attacked by other birds in the cage
Step 4. Place the cage in a suitable place
Quail need a quiet area, not too hot or cold, quiet and undisturbed to stay happy. These birds should be kept away from predators, including pets. A suitable place to place the quail cage is under a tree in the summer, or in the barn/garage during the rainy season.
Step 5. Provide bedding in the cage
To provide a bed according to the bird's natural habitat, you can use shaved pine wood, spruce splinters, sand, clumps of newsprint, grass clumps, Timothy straw, or non-slip kitchen rags. It is highly recommended to provide dry fingers/grass for birds to nest. This will encourage the bird to lay eggs and make it want to breed.
Step 6. Place a mat on top of the quail cage (optional)
You may think that quail can't fly, but when you feel scared, quail can fly up to the roof of the house. So, provide a mat at the top of the cage so that the quail doesn't hurt its head when trying to fly suddenly.
Step 7. Add some other equipment in the quail cage
Quail need a bed to stay happy. Some of the equipment that quails need are:
- Water container. The container should not be too big or deep because the quail should be able to access it easily and not risk drowning.
- Feeding place. Quails should be able to access their feeding and drinking areas easily.
- Hideout. You can buy several large hamster huts and put them in a cage. Quails like to hide when they are afraid or in dangerous situations.
- A container of sand. Quails like to take a sand bath every day. Sand can also prevent the appearance of parasites such as mites. Since quail will make a mess of sand when bathing, it's best to keep the container filled with sand away from the water tank.
- Small plant. If the quail live in a cage with soil or grass, growing some plants in it will make the quail happy! Remember, quail is very curious and likes the presence of a variety of plants in their habitat. Just make sure the plant is not poisonous.
Method 2 of 5: Picking Quail
Step 1. Decide what type of quail you want to keep
Breeds of quail are so varied that they are usually selected based on the owner's purpose (eg for broilers, laying birds, or breeding). You will have to search a lot of information to find out which breed of bird will best suit your needs and lifestyle. Some of the most popular types of quail are:
- Brown quail (coturnix quail). This is the most popular type of quail because it is considered the easiest for beginners to breed, is not difficult to care for, produces delicious eggs, and can be used as a broiler.
- Bobwhite quail. This is another recommended type of quail and is usually bred as laying or broilers. The male head is white, while the female is colored like ginger so it is very easy to mate bobwhite quail.
- Button quail. This quail is usually not used as laying or broiler because of its small size. The advantage of button quail is that it is easy to breed. Some of these types of quail have beautiful bright colors so they are suitable as pets. Button quail is usually placed at the bottom of the aviary to help clean up any seeds that other birds have dropped.
Step 2. Understand how to place quail in a cage
Before you buy quail, you should know the basic ways to house quail in a cage:
- Male birds should not be housed in one cage; otherwise, the two will fight. You can place several male birds in one cage that is large enough and has plenty of hiding places to escape when attacked. However, if this is not possible, it is best not to keep more than one male bird in one cage.
- Do not place a male bird alone without a female bird. This sometimes causes stress for the male bird and he will squeak more often.
- You must place at least two quail in one cage. The reason is that quail are sociable birds and will feel lonely even if you visit them every day.
- If you want to breed quail, it is advisable to place at least 1 male bird along with 2 to 5 female birds to ensure eggs can be fertilized.
Step 3. Buy a pair of healthy birds
You can buy quail from local breeders, online sellers, and your nearest pet store. In addition, before buying quail, make sure the breeder takes good care of it. Quail should receive high quality feed, clean cage and water, and sufficient space in the cage.
Step 4. Make sure the quail you buy is healthy
You don't want to spend a lot of money treating a sick bird even if it makes you feel like a "savior". Some of the characteristics of a healthy quail are:
- Birds should not stay in the corner. This indicates that he is cold or seriously ill.
- Birds should not pant. This indicates that the bird is very thirsty and is not being cared for properly.
- His eyes should be clear. Unhealthy eyes will look lethargic and blurry.
- Birds should not experience baldness in the body or back area. Baldness indicates that the bird is feeling stressed.
- Bird cages should not be dirty. This includes the cleanliness of the water. The only acceptable excuse is if the owner says the cage is on a cleaning schedule, but hasn't had time to clean when you see it.
- Birds shouldn't hurt or bleed at all! Never buy injured quail or caged birds with injured birds. This may be understandable if the breeder places the injured bird in a cage that has been treated and is recovering.
- Birds should not be attacked by mites. If the quail is attacked by mites, this indicates that the cage was not cleaned properly. Mites are small, black creatures that surround the body and head of a quail.
- Birds should not sleep or appear sleepy. Birds should look fresh and cheerful except when it is nighttime and the cage is turning dark.
- Birds should appear alert and careful. Quail should be frightened when startled, and appear curious. However, if the quail is tame, he probably will not feel afraid.
Step 5. Remember, some quail looks/reactions are natural
There are many people who misinterpret the health condition of birds based on the following points:
- Baldness on the head. In contrast to baldness on the body or back, baldness in birds does not indicate a sense of stress, but indicates a desire to mate. Baldness on the head usually occurs in female birds during the breeding season.
- Quails seem to be chasing other birds. Birds that chase are usually males. This is normal to show dominance, not because the cage is too narrow. However, don't buy an injured bird as it may get worse if left untreated.
- The quail eats too much! Most breeders have a feeding schedule and it is normal for quail to be in the feeder and look dirty from the feed. Remember, birds will stop eating when they are full.
Step 6. Do not disturb the quail for one week
Before interacting with quail, you must allow it to adapt. Quail may appear to be running back and forth in the cage for the first week and the female will not lay eggs until she is used to her new home. This can take up to several weeks or more.
Method 3 of 5: Feeding Quail
Step 1. Prepare the quail feed
There is a wide variety of food options for quail. Some of the most suitable feeds are: fodder for poultry, mixed canary/finches feed, turkey feed, and bird feed consisting of small pebbles or sand (gravel and grit). You can also give the various snacks mentioned below.
Usually, you will need to place the feed on top of the feeder, but if the bird lives on the ground or grass, you can spread the feed on the ground so the birds can peck right away. Quail will definitely like this method
Step 2. Give mussel shells or mashed chicken egg shells to the female bird to produce hard and healthy eggs
You can also mix it with pellets instead of regular feed to ensure high quality eggs.
Step 3. Give snacks in limited quantities
You can feed your quail a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, small insects, greenery, and kitchen leftovers. Quail can even eat meat if you feed it.
- Quails are very picky when it comes to snacking. Don't worry though, the birds will eat the treats they like and leave the ones they don't like, so you'll eventually understand what the quail likes.
- Remember, throw away any uneaten feed instead of leaving it in the cage.
Step 4. Provide enough clean water for the quail
Make sure the water container is not too deep or large for the quail and is in an easily accessible place. You should clean the container at least once a week to prevent bacteria buildup.
Step 5. Identify the types of food that should not be given to quail
Quail should not eat avocado, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, sweet or salty snacks, raw potatoes, tomato leaves and stalks, parsley, sour fruits, and grape seeds as all of these foods are toxic to quail.
- Some types of plants are also toxic to quail. So, identify what plants are safe to place in bird habitats.
- Don't worry too much about the quail's feed as the animal won't eat food that's toxic to it as long as it's not starving.
Method 4 of 5: Taking Care of Quails Every Day
Step 1. Consider moving your quail to an outdoor cage at least once a week
Quail loves new things and is very curious! Quail will nibble on grass, bathe in dirt, eat small insects, and peck at the ground. The sun is also good for laying birds! If the female doesn't lay eggs, it may be due to a poor diet and lack of sun exposure. So, it never hurts to take the bird out once in a while. Also, if you have a cage outdoors, keep an eye out for other birds such as crows. The bird can eat quail and peck its head. If you have a large number of wild birds in your area, it's a good idea to cover the cage with a tarp or other object when unattended.
Step 2. Let the bird take a sand bath
Quails love to take a sand bath every day! Sand baths can also prevent parasitic attacks. You only need to provide a shallow and wide container filled with dry sand. Birds will go in there and bathe in sand all day long.
Step 3. Clean the quail cage once every 1 or 2 weeks
Cleaning quail cages can prevent disease, bacteria, and mites from developing, and is not a strenuous job. You'll need to remove the bedding, water the inside of the cage, wash the feed and drinking containers, and then fill the containers with new feed and clean water.
Since quail manure contains high amounts of ammonia, you must clean his bedding at least once a week to prevent disease. Just put the mat in the trash or stuff it into the compost bin.
Step 4. Make sure the cage (or shelter) of the quail is darkened at night
Quail need sleep to stay healthy, happy and lively! Do not provide lighting or move the bird to a dark place so that it can sleep peacefully. Quail can only receive 15 hours of light in a day. More than that, he will have trouble sleeping.
Step 5. Place noisy or dangerous pets in another room
It is possible that a dog or cat will try to prey on the quail. Noisy animal noises can also annoy quail and cause stress.
Step 6. Collect quail eggs every day
You should collect quail eggs daily to make sure they stay fresh, especially when the weather is hot. You can store eggs in old chicken egg cartons and place them in a safe place or in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for a long time. Female quail can lay one egg per day so you can get 5 to 6 quail eggs every week.
Method 5 of 5: Maintaining Quail Health and Fulfilling Other Needs
Step 1. Pay attention to the health of your quail
If your quail looks different than usual or has a decreased appetite, it may be sick. Even if you can take him to the vet, you can also treat some minor health problems at home. Some of the problems that generally arise are:
- The quail is silent in the corner of the cage. It can be caused by illness or cold air. If the quail is sick, you should take him to the vet. If he is cold, remove the bird from the cage and place it in a warm box or similar place. The place should be in a very warm room. Provide some feed and water in the box and observe the quail for a few days until he looks happy again and is ready to be put back into the cage. You should also observe the quail for a few days after being returned to the cage.
- Quail attacked by mites. All quail living in the same cage should be removed and placed in one large enough box. After the cage is empty, clean the cage thoroughly. Treat quail by providing a sand bath, buying mite-proof powder, or using other safe methods to get rid of mites on birds.
- Quail injured. This problem is not caused by disease, but needs to be taken seriously. You can remove the injured quail as soon as possible and separate it from the cage until it heals. If you want to put the bird back in the cage once it recovers, observe the bird for a few days to make sure it gets along well with the other birds.
- Hot quail. This can be overcome by moving the bird to a cooler room, providing shelter, or removing heat sources.
Step 2. Consider taming quail
Even if taming quail is quite difficult, it can be done. Taming a quail will make it easier for you to touch it, take it to the doctor, or play with it for a while.
In order to tame a quail, you have to hand feed it, visit it often, be very gentle with it, etc
Step 3. Consider trimming the wing feathers
Quail can fly so high when frightened that they come out of the cage so cutting off their wing feathers may be necessary to prevent this.
Step 4. Find out the sex of your quail
If you don't know how to determine the sex of a bird, there are a few easy ways to do it:
- Anal examination is the most accurate way to find out the sex of a quail. Male birds have white bumps and foam in the anus, while female birds do not have them.
- Male quail usually have lighter feathers on the neck, head and back, and behave more aggressively than females. You can also find out the sex of the bird by looking at its chest.
- Female birds sometimes go bald in the breeding season and are not as brightly colored as males.
- Male birds often squeak. This is obvious in the coturnix quail, but even the female button quail can squeak when she calls her young.
Step 5. Breed quail, if desired
If you want to breed quail, do not disturb or take the eggs from the cage. Birds will lay several eggs before being incubated by a male or female. Eggs usually take up to 21 days to hatch.
Tips
- Feed the quail shells in the form of shells; it is a good source of calcium for laying birds.
- If you see quail chasing each other, it's actually normal. This is a way of showing dominance. As long as there is a hiding place in the cage, the bird will be fine.
- Buy coturnix quail which is recommended for beginner quail breeders.
- If you need to take your bird somewhere, move it in a portable cage or small box with holes punched to create an air duct.
- Place the quail's cage as far away from predators as possible so that the birds are not stressed, frightened, and won't lay eggs.
- Purchase quail at an online store, breeding center, farm supply store, or pet store.
- If you provide a bulb to light the coop, you can only keep it on for 13 to 15 hours each day. Moreover, birds can be stressed because they can't sleep.
- Unlike some other birds, quail do not need water to bathe; Quail only need water to drink. Quail will clean themselves with sand or soil.
- Since quail is a “land bird”, it needs a spacious cage instead of a tall one. So you don't have to waste money buying a cage for canaries or finches unless the bottom is wide enough to house quail.
- Don't hesitate to ask the pet store owner to find out how to care for quail. They usually understand it better.
Warning
- Never give avocado, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, sweet or salty snacks, raw potatoes, tomato leaves and stalks, parsley, sour fruits or grape seeds as all these foods are toxic to quail.
- Keep quail away from pets and large birds. Cats, dogs and meat-eating birds are serious threats to quail and should be kept away from injuring or killing them.
- Quail has many predators, ranging from birds, raccoons, mice, snakes, dogs, cats, foxes, etc. These animals will insist on entering the quail cage so you have to make sure the cage is safe from predators.
- Male quail will fight if placed in one cage; this is why you should separate them. If the cage is large enough and has plenty of places to hide, chances are the birds won't fight.
- The quail will fly straight up and crash its head when frightened. This can cause injury, pain, sores, and baldness. So, make sure there are no disturbances or predators in the area that can scare him away.
- If you put new quail in a cage that other quail already have, the birds may chase each other and hurt each other. This is very common, but it's a good idea to watch the bird to make sure it can adapt and get used to the presence of other birds.
- Even if you can keep small birds like canaries and finches in the same cage as quail, there's a chance that the birds won't get along and may attack or scare each other. The birds must also have a large space if placed in the same cage. Bird cages are the best choice for this.
