penned gamebirds next to cow lot?

[ga. prime]

I raise Bobwhite Quail in a flight pen. I am about to extend fencing on my cow pasture which will place the cows in close proximity to the birds. The bird pen is downhill from the cows. There will likely be some, not a lot, of runoff contaminated by cow manure into the bird pen. Does anyone know if this presents a health risk to the birds?

 

[fellersbarnoneranch]

I don't know about health risks, but if you give those cows grain at all, those quail will be whistling them cows over to share it! Sounds like a beautiful symbiotic relationship!

 

[Jake]

as long as manure stays out of the water and feed it shouldn't hurt them at all. They live along side cows in the pasture...

 

[Rustler9]

My chickens, guineas and ducks love nothing better than to scratch around in a big cow patty for the grain that passes through. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[dun]

My only concern would be if the cows are in a ocnfinement situation. A lot of acids and nutrients would possibly casue a problem. But for pasture situations there should be no real problem. Like the others, the wild turkeys and the few quail really tear up the pattys.

dun

 

[TheBullLady]

I would be worried about the Quail poop getting into a water source the cows use. I lost a young calf years ago after drinking water a couple of ducks where in. Salmonella, I believe? Vicki could tell you more..

 

[Mahoney Pursley Ranch]

I would be worried about the Quail poop getting into a water source the cows use. I lost a young calf years ago after drinking water a couple of ducks where in. Salmonella, I believe? Vicki could tell you more..

Are you saying it's not a good idea to have ducks swimming in a stock pond?

 

[4T]

While not an expert, I cannot anticipate any conflicts with your situation regarding the quail. In fact, from what I observe with our poultry (primarily chickens), I see a desirable symbiotic relationship with the "multi-species" grazing. Advantages have included, increased parasite control (a lot less ticks), increased range utilization by the poultry (the chickens extend farther from the pen with the cattle (safety from hawks while among the cattle), cow pies are broken up dispersed and parasites removed or cycles are disrupted, ergo less field dragging for me, etc... However, I see that the chickens are slowly displacing the cattle egrets so imagine the cattle egrets are somewhat miffed....