Post by avinet on Mar 8, 2011 12:10:45 GMT 10
Hay is not a good substrate - it can be a source of Aspergillosis, a fungal infection that lives in the air sacs of the bird and can often be fatal. See www.suite101.com/content/aspergillus-and-birds-a18682 for more information about the disease.
Hay provides an ideal place for Asper to develop - particularly if it gets damp from either drinking water spilling or droppings, and quail, since they are on the ground and poking around looking for food, are prime targets to get infected.
We had a pet shop locally - now long closed - which used hay in their bird cages. There was a spate of birds purchased from there coming down with Asper and dying around 6 months after being purchased - people would bring their sick birds into us since we were the main bird dealers on the Sunshine Coast - and eventually the penny dropped and we realised the connection. I had the vet who was diagnosing the birds phone them up and point out what was happening.
Use sand as the substrate, ideally on a concrete base so it is easy to rake to clean up or replace when necessary.
Regarding breeding, it can take a while for them to settle down and start egg laying so be patient. They need to feel comfortable and stress-free. Also be sure to add some veggies to their diet - seed alone will not keep them in breeding condition. Also they love live food - mealworms occasionally are OK, maggots are good as are white ants. Also cockroaches if available.
I always provided a half flower pot - broken to be able to make a suitably sized cave - anything will do really as long as it gives some cover and is big enough - but not too big. Put some grass inside for the hen to make a rough nest. Be aware that not all hens will incubate their eggs - some have absolutely no motherly instincts. Others will go around collecting all the eggs laid by other hens to incubate themselves - it is pot luck what your hens will be like. And many hens don't breed at all - they are very variable.
cheers,
Mike
Hay provides an ideal place for Asper to develop - particularly if it gets damp from either drinking water spilling or droppings, and quail, since they are on the ground and poking around looking for food, are prime targets to get infected.
We had a pet shop locally - now long closed - which used hay in their bird cages. There was a spate of birds purchased from there coming down with Asper and dying around 6 months after being purchased - people would bring their sick birds into us since we were the main bird dealers on the Sunshine Coast - and eventually the penny dropped and we realised the connection. I had the vet who was diagnosing the birds phone them up and point out what was happening.
Use sand as the substrate, ideally on a concrete base so it is easy to rake to clean up or replace when necessary.
Regarding breeding, it can take a while for them to settle down and start egg laying so be patient. They need to feel comfortable and stress-free. Also be sure to add some veggies to their diet - seed alone will not keep them in breeding condition. Also they love live food - mealworms occasionally are OK, maggots are good as are white ants. Also cockroaches if available.
I always provided a half flower pot - broken to be able to make a suitably sized cave - anything will do really as long as it gives some cover and is big enough - but not too big. Put some grass inside for the hen to make a rough nest. Be aware that not all hens will incubate their eggs - some have absolutely no motherly instincts. Others will go around collecting all the eggs laid by other hens to incubate themselves - it is pot luck what your hens will be like. And many hens don't breed at all - they are very variable.
cheers,
Mike
