Can you potty train Quail?

[Oob Child]

How old do they have to be to go outside? If I calculated right they're 2 weeks old.. they have their feathers and they no longer looks like babies lol... we have them in a big utility tote w no lid... we have like mesh (from I think a roll for fixing screens in your windows ) over top bc theyre getting very jumpy and trying to fly already. We stopped using paper towels because they were just getting gross feet and poop every where. We replaced it with some type of pellets and it seems to be soo much better for them. My husband is thinking of the next time we have to change the bedding we are just going to put them outside. Which that's probably in a few days ... is this still too early? I read online they can't go outside til 8 weeks! That's a long time and I think the tote will be getting a little too crowded by then lol...

They can manage their body temperature at around 4-5 weeks old. Sorry, you've still got a while!
You can take them out for short periods of time if it's a hot day.

 

[CliftonQuail]

How old do they have to be to go outside? If I calculated right they're 2 weeks old.. they have their feathers and they no longer looks like babies lol... we have them in a big utility tote w no lid... we have like mesh (from I think a roll for fixing screens in your windows ) over top bc theyre getting very jumpy and trying to fly already. We stopped using paper towels because they were just getting gross feet and poop every where. We replaced it with some type of pellets and it seems to be soo much better for them. My husband is thinking of the next time we have to change the bedding we are just going to put them outside. Which that's probably in a few days ... is this still too early? I read online they can't go outside til 8 weeks! That's a long time and I think the tote will be getting a little too crowded by then lol...

Where are you in the world (state or country is enough)? If it's summer time where you are, I suspect they'd be fine going outside as long as they're protected from rain and high winds. If it's winter, I'm afraid you're probably stuck with them inside for a few more weeks unless you can provide supplemental heat in their outdoor cages.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Some limitations must be accepted. I doubt it is possible. Consider, parrots apparently, are smart enough to actually understand words to a small degree, but they still use the world as their toilet.

 

[Abbystormndixi3]

They can manage their body temperature at around 4-5 weeks old. Sorry, you've still got a while!
You can take them out for short periods of time if it's a hot day.

Thank you so much! I will keep them in for a few more weeks! I don't want to lose any!

 

[Charlie Wooster]

I'm afraid that it's more likely that they poop on the paper towels because they spend more time there because the food and water are there.

Bingo

 

[Charlie Wooster]

How old do they have to be to go outside? If I calculated right they're 2 weeks old.. they have their feathers and they no longer looks like babies lol... we have them in a big utility tote w no lid... we have like mesh (from I think a roll for fixing screens in your windows ) over top bc theyre getting very jumpy and trying to fly already. We stopped using paper towels because they were just getting gross feet and poop every where. We replaced it with some type of pellets and it seems to be soo much better for them. My husband is thinking of the next time we have to change the bedding we are just going to put them outside. Which that's probably in a few days ... is this still too early? I read online they can't go outside til 8 weeks! That's a long time and I think the tote will be getting a little too crowded by then lol...

Late spring/summer hatch I move them out at 8-10 days old if night time temps are above 85°, I still use a light at night for a week after putting them in grow out pen.. keep out of strong winds or blowing rain.. they will be fine..

 

[Charlie Wooster]

not true.. late spring/summer hatched they are fine outside at 2 weeks old.. some things must be considered but I’ve put them out at 8-10 days old for over 20 years..

They can manage their body temperature at around 4-5 weeks old. Sorry, you've still got a while!
You can take them out for short periods of time if it's a hot day.

 

[Oob Child]

not true.. late spring/summer hatched they are fine outside at 2 weeks old.. some things must be considered but I’ve put them out at 8-10 days old for over 20 years..

That's just what I read on Google lol
I keep mine inside, and it's the middle of winter. The house was so toasty they were fine at 3 weeks.

Photo of one of my quail at about 3 weeks old. He's now 7 weeks old.

 

[Abbystormndixi3]

Late spring/summer hatch I move them out at 8-10 days old if night time temps are above 85°, I still use a light at night for a week after putting them in grow out pen.. keep out of strong winds or blowing rain.. they will be fine..

Perfect! Thank you so much! We have a part of their pen "boxed in" and hay or straw (not sure the difference) on top of the tiny chicken wire flooring in the box. We have a heat light in that section with a thermometer and an electric box that regulates the temperature. For the other side it's all small chicken wire with a tin roof over all of it. We just put them in today... with the day time temperature outdoors at 85° and I believe tonight the lowest will be 69° out but that's at 6 am tomorrow morning. We added some branches with leaves and without, and placed 5 gallon bucket lids in the more open side with dirt and a little grass and tiny stones and put 1 apple and 2 peaches (both small) in with them.

 

[Joeysmom]

There are plenty of people who have a very tame bird and they just clean up after it. Keep a cloth or roll of paper towels nearby and clean it up as it poops. I wouldn't want to do that, but there are people who do.

Yes, I am one of those people . I now have stock in Clorox wipes and spend hours cleaning and disinfecting . Watch tv together , she naps at my feet like a dog . Pampered princess for sure . As a side note thank you for all the amazing advice I’ve received from you and others from this forum