Little Button Quail - Meet Bootle and Rosemary!

[Clawd]

Jayburd,

I went to clip the wings of my LBQ when I picked them up from Fred and found that they were already clipped. Your may be the same.

Regards

Clawd

[Jayburd]

Hi Clawd,
When he was transferring them to my carry box he mentioned to me that he had not clipped the wings and I may want to do so... I will get some help and do it tomorrow because Bootle has hurt his beak.
Thanks Nathan

[E Orix]

If you want to stop the Quail from taking off only cut the feathers on one wing.
Never cut the first 3 primary wing feathers as these protect the very end of the actual wing.
I don't cut wing feathers I actually pulled out the 4th primary and the next 4 feathers.
It seems a bit brutal but the reason is that they will grow back within about 3 weeks by then the bird knows its suroundings
and is generally alot calmer. If you cut the feathers they will not be replaced until the bird moults again.
This is how I calm down Sky Larks as they want to take off at the slightest noise at first,once they know their area etc they just run away without any sign of panic.
The other reason is when the Quail are brooding the full wing assists in keeping the chicks warm and a full wing looks better.
But if they continue to take off then you will need to cut the feathers with a pair of scissors as a more permanent exercise.

[desertbirds]

When i kept BBB quail i noticed they were pretty good if i put a lot of time in, that is, live food everyday and some leaf litter to scratch around in.When i took my time and spoilt the little buggers they were very quiet and tame.As i ran out time and kept more birds (trying to do everything in a hurry) the quail returned to behaving like helicopters. Moving slowly helps too.Ive noticed visitng aviaries that some of the older keepers have very quiet birds .

[Jayburd]

Thanks Guys
They do not fly so much now, I try to always move slowly around new birds... I have spoilt them with some mealies for now

[iluvaussiebirds]

Hi Jaybird
Just a reminder to give them lots of live food. I feed mine termites only, and they get about a level tablespoon per pair twice a day. i also give them greens, and green grass heads, but they eat very little dry seed.

[Jayburd]

Thanks ILAB
Yes they have been sneaking out t the mealworm tray
I gave them some termites the other day, and I didn't see them touch them....
I noticed how little they eat, I'd better pile on the greens

[iluvaussiebirds]

they dont eat a lot of greens, milk thistle leaves, chickweed & endives seem to be the preferred, although I have seen them have a go at watercress. Green grass seed seems to be more popular, just when it is at the milky stage. they may not be used to termites, but I suggest you keep them up because if they breed the babies will eat only live food for the first 3 weeks (and lots of it), and most other insects are too big for the babies. Most losses of newly hatched babies are cold & starvation, maybe drowning if you dont put a shallow water dish in, and certain death from mum if you dont remove her before they hatch.

Also mealworms & fly larvae arent the best live food as they are basically just fat, very little protein or other vitamins or minerals. Adult insects are far more nutritious with lots of protein and other goodies in them. If termites are hard to get, try establishing a mulch heap in the avairy that they can forage in. It needs to be big enough to stay moist & breed lots of little insects. I've seen a baby button quail eat over 120 termites just for breakfast (gave up counting then, but he didnt stop eating!). I am absolutely convinced that the secret to success with button quail is large quanitites of termites. if you get the round termite nests from up in the trees, often you can get a whole nest or most of it, and so long as it is kept somewhere airy so fungus doesnt grow, the termites can live for several weeks, even months if you give them grass or softwood to eat (depending on the species).

[Jayburd]

Thanks.... I don't mean it as a permanent live food, just a pick-me-up from being moved
will post more as I digest the new info ;)