It looked strange, and I thought it seemed unhygienic. Wait, do quails eat their own poo?
Over time I understood that this is common behaviour in many animals, including birds. The technical term is coprophagy, and it is normal.
What it means when quails eat droppings
After all the time and money we spend on good, protein-rich feed for our quails, they still go and eat their own poo.
It is not especially pleasant to watch quails go back to their own droppings and pick at parts of them.
Even so, it is a natural part of their lives. The behaviour is well known, and many other animals, such as chickens, peafowl, rabbits and guinea pigs, do the same.
For animals that eat their own droppings, it is largely about digestion and health.
The food they eat is not always fully used the first time through, and some nutrients can pass out again. By eating it once more, quails simply get more out of their feed.
For those of you who care about reducing feed waste, this may actually be reassuring to read.
Why quails eat poo
I have noticed that they do not eat everything. They seem to pick out selected parts of the droppings.
When quails eat their own droppings, they take back bacteria that help support healthy digestion.
What normal droppings look like
To understand what quails are choosing, it helps to know what normal droppings look like. In healthy quails, droppings are firm and dark brown to black, with a white cap made up of uric acid.
The white part is not dangerous. It is a natural way for a bird's kidneys to get rid of waste products.
Droppings that are very loose, slimy or bloody can be a sign of illness. When I have seen my quails picking at droppings, it has always been the normal, firm kind, not droppings that look unhealthy.
Is it dangerous if quails eat droppings?
As long as the quails are healthy and the environment is clean, it is not dangerous if they eat a little of their own droppings. It is more a part of their natural way of keeping digestion in balance.
The problem arises if they live in dirty surroundings.
In that case, droppings can contain parasites or bacteria that spread disease. Eating droppings may then make the problem worse.
This is why cleaning is so important. If you change bedding regularly, provide enough space and give them clean water and feed, you reduce the risk considerably.
My experience
With my own quails, I have noticed this mostly in chicks, but also in adult Northern Bobwhites and Blue-breasted Quails.
Chicks are more curious and try more things, while adult quails do it less often.
I have also seen that they do not eat everything indiscriminately. It almost seems as if they are assessing what may still provide nutrition.
I have never experienced them becoming ill from it, and as long as I keep the cage and outdoor run tidy and clean, it has never been a problem.
Frequently asked questions about quails and droppings
Why do quails eat their own droppings?
It is a way of getting more nutrition out of the feed and of strengthening the gut flora.
Is it harmful for quails to eat their own droppings?
Usually not, as long as the birds are healthy and their surroundings are kept tidy and clean. It can be harmful if there is disease in the flock. That is why regular cleaning and fresh air matter.
Why do quails eat their own droppings, but not those of others?
They get the most out of their own digestive flora. Eating droppings from other birds does not give them the same benefit.
Can I stop them doing it?
You cannot stop it completely, but you can make it less appealing. Give varied feed, provide plenty of space, and change the bedding regularly so they always have a clean environment.
Summary
Quails that eat their own droppings are doing something that is part of their natural life.
A quail eating poo can look odd to us, but for them it is simply one way of looking after themselves.
I hope this was as clarifying for you as it was for me. 💩
