Lovebirds and quails

Labbie

Member
Jan 23, 2013
45
15
Dunedin New Zealand
Parrots
Rainbow lorikeets Rosie and Mollie. Peach faced lovebirds Pixie and Missy. Peach faced lovebirds Storm and Blossom. Blue masked lovebirds Alfie and Millie.
Hi Guys,

I have just had my new aviary finished, I have lovebirds. I am thinking of getting some quails, I have never had them before. I am wondering if anyone knows how well they would get on in the aviary with the lovebirds?
Thanks
 

foxgloveparrot

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Aug 30, 2021
5,727
7,008
Indiana, USA
Parrots
Ziggy, Kai, and Seiji (blue, yellowface, and dilute budgies)
Jasper (yellow-naped amazon)
Lilla (senegal parrot)
Snowberry (yellow-crowned amazon)
Cricket (pacific parrotlet)
I know very little about quails. But in general, it's not a great idea to mix species, even in a large aviary. Sometimes it does work out, but most times it doesn't, and quails and lovebirds are very different, so I don't think it would go well.
Then again, someone with more quail experience might be more helpful than I am.
 
OP
L

Labbie

Member
Jan 23, 2013
45
15
Dunedin New Zealand
Parrots
Rainbow lorikeets Rosie and Mollie. Peach faced lovebirds Pixie and Missy. Peach faced lovebirds Storm and Blossom. Blue masked lovebirds Alfie and Millie.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I know very little about quails. But in general, it's not a great idea to mix species, even in a large aviary. Sometimes it does work out, but most times it doesn't, and quails and lovebirds are very different, so I don't think it would go well.
Then again, someone with more quail experience might be more helpful than I am.
Thanks for your help
 

ravvlet

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,349
7,081
Seattle WA
Parrots
Kirby - OWA, 33yrs old (2019-)
Broccoli - Dusky Conure - 3?mo old (July 2023 -)
~~~
(Rehomed) Sammy - YNA, 45 yrs old (2022-2023)
(RIP) Cricket - Cockatiel (2019-2022)
Not a good idea. Poultry carry a ton of diseases and parasites that they can absolutely transmit to parrots, that parrots do not have any natural adaptation against. I used to have a small flock of conturnix quail and rehomed them recently due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the US, but even before I did that I always made sure to change shoes and thoroughly wash my hands before going into the parrot’s area after dealing with the quail.

Also, coturnix quail can be extremely aggressive. Before they met their end in a cookpot, the “extra” males we had announced their pubescence by scalping the females and other males alike in a horomone-induced frenzy. I would not want to see that turned onto a smaller bird.

Also - I don’t know what kind of flooring you have in your aviary, but quail require a high protein gamebird mix to thrive, which means their stools reek to high heaven. The smell is nothing like parrot poop. Parrot poop smells like sunshine and roses by comparison - and I have owned chickens and ducks in addition to quail, so I’ve smelled it all, haha!
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top