Can Guinea Pigs And Quails Live Together?
As a guinea pig owner, has it ever crossed your mind if can guinea pigs and quails live together? Well, throw out that idea because guinea pigs and quails CANNOT co-exist with each other.
It will lead to problems in the future. Aside from the fact that both belong to different species, a guinea pig exhibits different behavior, and a quail requires a different setup: an appropriate environment for them to thrive.
For instance, guinea pig does require a large area for zoomies. However, leaving them outdoors on the grass where you place your quails is not a good idea because these animals leave a huge mess.
They defecate almost everywhere: a health hazard for your Guinea pigs. There is so much more to learn about guinea pigs and quails, so it would be best to dig into this article further!
Learning More About Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are native to the Andes Mountains in South America and are almost anywhere. From the savannahs, forests, and even deserts!
They prefer open areas with plenty of vegetation found near streams and rivers. You can also find guinea pigs in agricultural areas where they feed on crops and grasses.
They are known rodents: furry animals that typically weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds.
Guinea pigs have short legs and short, round bodies. These furry creatures need enough space where they can roam around.
However, guinea pigs are sensitive to noises, and other animals near them could cause them stress, especially active ones like dogs.
EGGciting Facts About Quails
In large portions of North America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, you will find a plump, short-necked game bird species known as quail.
You can also find the bird in places like Australia and South America.
Domesticated species of quails we all know are raised on farms for their flesh and eggs, while certain minorities regularly hunt wild quails.
Their squat bodies make it difficult to stay in flight for extended distances. Quail birds spend most of their time on the ground.
Also, quails are deemed aggressive toward smaller animals (or any animals the same as their size).
Their dagger-like beaks pose a threat to any small creature. Imagine placing a quail and a guinea pig together in an enclosure.
Similarities between guinea pigs and quails
Guinea pigs and quails are small, ground-dwelling animals found in many parts of the world. They both have short, rounded bodies with small heads and short legs.
They both have small, round eyes and small ears. When it comes to their diet, guinea pigs and quails are herbivores, meaning they mostly eat grass, hay, and other plant matter.
They both require a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat.
Differences between guinea pigs and quails
The differences between guinea pigs and quails are vast. First, guinea pigs are rodents, while quails are birds.
Guinea pigs are small, furry animals that typically weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. They have short legs and short, round bodies.
On the other hand, quails are small, plump birds that typically weigh between 4 and 8 ounces.
They have long legs and small, round bodies. Lastly, Quails are omnivores, while guinea pigs are herbivores, so it is essential to provide separate food sources for each animal.
Guinea Pigs And Quails Can Live Together?
Can guinea pigs and quails live together? The answer is no. Aside from the fact they belong to different species, both have different lifestyles and behavior. Moreover, some more factors hinder both guinea pigs and quails from co-existing.
#1. Difference in behavior and needs
For instance, quails are more active than guinea pigs and require more space to move around.
Also, quails are much faster than guinea pigs and can outrun them, guinea pigs will most likely find a place to hide, so it is crucial to provide a safe and secure environment for the guinea pigs.
You see, guinea pigs are delicate creatures. Even though socialization is required for survival, it is only applicable to their species.
Animals of some sort could easily scare these rodents.
Adding to this, as mentioned at some point in this article, quails tend to harm small animals (although quails are much smaller than guinea pigs, with an average size of 8-10 inches compared to the average size of a guinea pig which is 8-12 inches).
Their dagger-like beaks could injure or kill your defenseless guinea pigs, as these rodents have no physical form of defense against quail birds. Thus, quails could easily stress out your guinea pigs.
As for their needs, Guinea pigs and quails have different diets.
Guinea pigs are herbivores and need a diet of hay, fresh vegetables, and specially formulated guinea pig food (do not feed them the same food).
#2. Possible transmission of diseases
Aside from quails stressing out delicate rodents, guinea pigs and quails carry diseases. Thus, guinea pigs are also a threat to quail birds.
Sick guinea pigs could infect quails, so it is crucial to monitor their health closely.
Benefits Of Guinea Pigs And Quails Living Together
The benefits of guinea pigs and quails living together can be quite plentiful. Guinea pigs and quails are both small animals, so they can easily co-exist in the same enclosure.
The guinea pigs provide a source of companionship and entertainment for the quails, while the quails serve as a source of stimulation and activity for the guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs and quails can also benefit from each other.
Things To Consider for Housing Guinea Pigs and Quails Together
Can birds and guinea pigs live together? The risks of guinea pigs and quails living together are significant and should not be taken lightly.
First and foremost, guinea pigs and quails are two completely different species.
And they have different dietary and environmental needs. But if you must put both in the same enclosure. Take note of a few considerations.
#1. Both species might not get along
Provide a cage of its own for each animal. Do so to ensure the safety and well-being of the guinea pig and quail if they do not get along.
You can endanger the health of your guinea pigs if you place them together with quails, who are much more active.
A guinea pig may also become greatly distressed by their smell and noise.
Regardless, you can keep guinea pigs in the same cage as the quails (even though they often are not placed in an enclosure).
While they should have ample space to move around, avoid crowding them or allowing them to interact too much because this could result in fights.
#2. Both need enough space to move
Housing requirements for guinea pigs and quails can vary depending on the size of the enclosure, the number of animals, and the type of environment you provide.
Guinea pigs require a large enclosure, preferably at least 7.5 square feet per guinea pig.
Utilize solid materials for the cage, such as wood, metal, or plastic. And make sure it is escape-proof.
It’s a good idea to know how much space do guinea pigs need!
It’s A Wrap!
Can guinea pigs and quails live together? There is a chance for guinea pigs and quails to get along. However, it would be best to put them together with their species.
After all, guinea pigs and quails can both benefit from having a companion.
It would be best to create a separate enclosure where you can provide for their needs.
Also, it will help you ease your worries about them not getting along. And that is it! We hope you learned a lot from this article.
If you want more, read this article on how to train a guinea pig? Thanks for reading!
