Proper Bedding for Button Quail

Button quail, or Chinese painted quail, are the smallest members of the quail family and are native to Australia and Asia. These small birds have been domesticated and are often raised as pets. Proper care and housing, including bedding, will help ensure a long life.

  1. Wire Cage

    • Many bird keepers keep button quail in wire cages without extra bedding. However, the cages must be paced directly on a hard surface to prevent the small feet of the birds from going through the openings. Because button quail are not perching birds, they will not walk across wire. The wire cage can be placed on top of wood, concrete or directly on the ground.

    Terrarium

    • Button quail keepers also keep the button quail in terrariums with shredded pine or cedar shavings. These loose shavings allow the bird droppings to sift through to the bottom so the birds do not walk in their feces. Shredded newspaper is not recommended because the droppings will sit on top and not sift down.

    Wood Floor

    • You can also use is a wood-floored rabbit hutch. This can be used with or without any additional bedding. If bedding is used, use pine or cedar shavings.