Quail and cage shelves, bird perches

I know that quail prefer to run instead of fly, but I'm wondering if they will use cage shelves, if they have a chance? I'm thinking of these cages for small rabbits, rats, etc, which are long (horizontal) but also have shelves for climbing. I'm wondering if quail would use these upper levels of such cage, or will they always stay at the bottom and only fly up when startled? Chickens, for example, do enjoy a coop that is off the ground, or even a swing, although they aren't flying birds either. I know that quail are not exactly identical but maybe they would also enjoy a shelf or perch, not as a hiding/sleeping spot, but more as an entertainment during the day?

I've gotten quail to use very low shelves. See picture below



I've also gotten them to use shelves by installing a ramp. The ramp has be against the side of the enclosure and semi-enclosed so the the quail don't jump off mid way up.

I found some pictures of multi-level quail enclosure.

Yes, they will use them!  They'll also use a ramp.  Just make sure it has enough cleats.  I glue bamboo skewers in between the cleats on my ramp that came with the rabbit hutch.  They are such fun little birds.  People raise them in horrible conditions, and then say they are stupid and suicidal.  They're not either of those things.

Aaron Yarbrough wrote:I found some pictures of multi-level quail enclosure.

Interesting! And they seem to be using scraps from a paper shredder as a bedding? Very self sufficient! Quail are able to fly after all, so they shouldn't hurt themselves in a taller cage...

Flora Eerschay wrote:Interesting! And they seem to be using scraps from a paper shredder as a bedding? Very self sufficient! Quail are able to fly after all, so they shouldn't hurt themselves in a taller cage...

I used to work in an office that produced bags and bags of shredded paper. Great for bedding. I've read about quail injuring themselves in tallish (2-5 feet) cages but never experienced it myself. I'm building a quail enclosure currently that's four feet tall. Will report on the results on this Permies thread.

I mean, get hurt by falling off something... I know they can hit a cage roof if they fly when startled, and the roof isn't low or high enough. But the cage with shelves could also protect them from that, maybe with some extra twigs woven into the roof?