Introducing finches in orchard aviary to control fruit fly

[tarred and feathered]

If it's a ground dwelling bird you're after, Black breasted button quail or similar would work well in that situation to dig the pupae out. They dig in a circular motion and make little divets however they wouldn't be as harsh as the chickens on the tree roots. You have large area so you might get away with a trio however you'd need to ensure you moved the young before the females start to colour up. Some of the smaller button quails may have females not quite as rambunctious as the black breasted.

[hapuku]

If it's a ground dwelling bird you're after, Black breasted button quail or similar would work well in that situation to dig the pupae out. They dig in a circular motion and make little divets however they wouldn't be as harsh as the chickens on the tree roots. You have large area so you might get away with a trio however you'd need to ensure you moved the young before the females start to colour up. Some of the smaller button quails may have females not quite as rambunctious as the black breasted.

Thanks T and F
Atm I have king quail in my aviaries and I often see them run across the floor to catch an insect but I have concrete floors so I don't know how effective they are at digging (being such a small bird). I've never had black breasted button quail but that sounds like they would do the job. With the area I have thought I would need more than a trio to have an impact. If I had just hens (20 odd) do you think they would be as effective?

[E Orix]

I released two male and a female King Quail into my aviary because the season before a rat got in.
My theory was that if the Quail disappeared then I should start worrying and start looking.
No rats appeared(found the access) but a total Quail breeding frenzy, by halfway through the season even the early bred
ones were breeding. Pairs would appear with up to 8 tiny chicks and actually rear the lot. Net result was in excess of 80
and that would have been more except I started catching them up and separating the sexes. Must be 40 here still so I intend
to flood the market at Ballarat. To answer your question, in my opinion they will assist greatly without the damage but watch
the numbers. I still think the chicks are great looking, so tiny.

[Diane]

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[tarred and feathered]

With the button quails the male incubates and looks after the chicks. You can't really have more than one female as they are territorial and the aggressor. Unless the area was massive. I've never had the luxury of having such a huge area but am still not sure it would be enough. I must say they are great earth movers and would pretty guarantee the job they would do. They spin on one leg whilst digging with the other. They aren't the easiest bird so unless you're experienced with quail already I wouldn't go with them. We'll worth it however with live food available.