The cute and the dirty *Wanting info*

[PhantomSlayer]

I'm thinking of keeping some quail indoors. I think it would be a fun and interesting experience.

2 years of experience with chickens and geese has shown me it's best to get info from people who have done it rather than scrolling countless articles.

As a former fish keeper I also lean more toward the natural theme of things for indoors so if you have any ideas on things that can be added to make a more natural habitat I'm all for it!

So anything you think could benefit a newbie is appreciated.


Also the biggest question I havent been able to find a solid answer on is what feed is needed for quail. I've seen 20-28% protein depending on life stage but thats not really helpful when the highest feed I know of in our local store is 20% and I've never seen any higher lol does that mean supplements of protein needs added? What are the best sources for that?

I've read enough articles that I think I could get by but again I believe hearing experiences from multiple people.

The start will be next year as this winter I'll be busy moving my room and creating a brooder/incubation area right outside my room so goose incubating and hatching will be much easier to keep an eye on. Plus is gives me this winter to decide on cage idea. I have a large aquarium that isn't safe for holding water (No bracing) but I also have the option of using an old XL dog crate. Or depending on if I can look in my dads garage at the wood there if I can do one from scratch.

Quail suggestions welcome as well cause I'm torn their all so cute lol

 

[GodLovesU]

You could keep button quail in the aquarium, depending on it’s size.I know you said you didn’t want a bunch of articles but here’s one I wrote with all the necessary information on button quail:https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-journey-with-button-quail-king-quail.79586/

 

[Nabiki]

Keeping them indoors may not be the best idea if you have any allergy or lung issues. They produce a LOT of dust. I do have button quail indoors, but I kick my coturnix out as soon as possible.

Here is an article on feed which breaks down what nutrition they need by life stage. I deliberately did not put brands in since they can change but the nutrition required by your birds won't.

 

[Squawkers]

You could keep button quail in the aquarium, depending on it’s size.I know you said you didn’t want a bunch of articles but here’s one I wrote with all the necessary information on button quail:https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-journey-with-button-quail-king-quail.79586/

I want quail so bad, and your not helping

 

[Nabiki]

I want quail so bad, and your not helping

FYI, an aquarium is not a good idea for buttons. They don't get enough air circulation which can lead to respiratory issues for them.

 

[Jener8or]

I'm thinking of keeping some quail indoors. I think it would be a fun and interesting experience.

2 years of experience with chickens and geese has shown me it's best to get info from people who have done it rather than scrolling countless articles.

As a former fish keeper I also lean more toward the natural theme of things for indoors so if you have any ideas on things that can be added to make a more natural habitat I'm all for it!

So anything you think could benefit a newbie is appreciated.


Also the biggest question I havent been able to find a solid answer on is what feed is needed for quail. I've seen 20-28% protein depending on life stage but thats not really helpful when the highest feed I know of in our local store is 20% and I've never seen any higher lol does that mean supplements of protein needs added? What are the best sources for that?

I've read enough articles that I think I could get by but again I believe hearing experiences from multiple people.

The start will be next year as this winter I'll be busy moving my room and creating a brooder/incubation area right outside my room so goose incubating and hatching will be much easier to keep an eye on. Plus is gives me this winter to decide on cage idea. I have a large aquarium that isn't safe for holding water (No bracing) but I also have the option of using an old XL dog crate. Or depending on if I can look in my dads garage at the wood there if I can do one from scratch.

Quail suggestions welcome as well cause I'm torn their all so cute lol

What type of quail are you planning on keeping indoors?

I start my quail on 30% protein gamebird chick starter (it has about 1% calcium). After about 6 or 7 weeks I'll switch them over to gamebird layer feed. It has 20% protein and 3% calcium.

I know people who leave them on chick starter (I don't because I keep them mostly for eggs, not meat, and I feel like excess weight contributes to bumble foot and might harm them longevity-wise).

You could keep them on an all-flock type of feed. It has less calcium than layer feed. I would stick with one around 20% protein, with oyster shell on the side.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

You could keep button quail in the aquarium, depending on it’s size.I know you said you didn’t want a bunch of articles but here’s one I wrote with all the necessary information on button quail:https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-journey-with-button-quail-king-quail.79586/

If their articles written by people on here it doesn't bother me to read them but coming across them on strange sites with no way of knowing truely if they are accurate or experienced as they say is a bit sketchy feeling. Or it could just be stolen content lol.

I was told years ago when I gave measurements of the tank on an aquarium forum that its a 29 long. If that size doesn't work I have the dog crate as a second option or building upwards onto the aquarium or depending on whats in our scrap pile or garage building something completely from scratch. If our goose lays the same general time she did last year our incubators will be full of goose eggs march-may so either before or after depending on when I can be done making preparations for the quail. Cause I'll probably be taking the risk of buying shipped eggs cause honestly I don't see anyone in my area posting about selling quail or quail eggs.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

Keeping them indoors may not be the best idea if you have any allergy or lung issues. They produce a LOT of dust. I do have button quail indoors, but I kick my coturnix out as soon as possible.

Here is an article on feed which breaks down what nutrition they need by life stage. I deliberately did not put brands in since they can change but the nutrition required by your birds won't.

They'll be in the basement. My mother is building me a bedroom down there so she can steal my room to make a craft room lol. If their that dusty they'll probably be made a home right outside my room lol It's a walk out basement as well so opening the door or windows on the west side can help. Plus easier to toss out bedding. Thanks for the info on the feed! Right! Just knowing what I need to be looking for is much better than knowing brand names cause where I live we have a brand called Country Spirit which our birds will only eat. They got purina when they were chicks but after country spirit weve ran out twice and borrowed some other brand from my sister in law when she had chickens and boy the chickens wanted nothing to do with it. Only our geese would eat it lol

 

[PhantomSlayer]

I want quail so bad, and your not helping

I've become obsessed with them in the past two months. And I finally convinced my mother its not a terrible idea lol so I'm taking it as I can as long as I pay for it lol.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

FYI, an aquarium is not a good idea for buttons. They don't get enough air circulation which can lead to respiratory issues for them.

What if you build ontop of the aquarium making platforms so they can be up with better circulation but still go beneath to dust bath etc?