The Quail Necessities - Bedding / Substrate
What do you need to know?
There are various options - determine what works best for you and your set up. At times it may be best to use multiple types of substrate to meet the needs of your covey. Below are some options we have found beneficial;
Straw Based / Compressed Bedding
This style bedding is less dusty than traditional shavings, poop seems to collect easier / clump well. Over time as the birds move across the material it will break down and become a soft powder - easy to sift.
The brand we have found locally: Straw Boss
Timothy Hay
We find this type of hay to have good structure for natural nesting behaviours and has a nice aroma. Our caution would be to remove when wet to avoid mild/mildew growth or foul odour In the coop.
Hemp Bedding
This is a more expensive option when it comes to bedding, so it may not be the best choice for larger coops. The dust level is lower than traditional shavings and the smell is pleasant to the birds.
This is a great option to consider for indoor set ups with smaller qty of birds (buttons) to keep on top of cleaning and not moving through the substrate at a high rate.
Sand (chicken safe)
For aviary settings or larger coops where multiple substrates are used, sand would be a great option to include to allow for natural tendencies and varied textures for them to move across. Adding a dry coop powder will help control odour, the sand should be raked or sifted regularly. Selecting the proper BIRD SAFE option will be vital.