Thanks so much for the detailed response. It was my understanding that they need to be caged or else they would fly the coop. I raise my meat birds in pasture pens so I'm used to confined birds.They must be caged. Does this offend you? Caged means higher density and a poop management system.
That genius. My free range laying hens do the same thing in my pasture behind my pasture pens. They run out there every morning when I go out to move the pens to get at the newest ground scores and tear up any matted poop.I let the chickens under the quail cages and they clean up the spilled feed and stir the quail poop into the shredded wood chips to keep the flies down. I scoop all this into a compost pile a couple of times a year.
Will do. I had done some initial reading a couple weeks ago, but you get alot better info from talking to someone who's done it before than googling sometimes.Since I'm not sure what management style you'd prefer, I'd say start reading and see.
Big questions, cages inside the garage, barn or outbuilding or outside with weather protection? What type of weather protection?
Youtube channel Simply Redneck has the style of cages that I'm using from recycled lumber.
MyShire farms supplies eggs and information on the different color patterns.
Other youtubers show you their set ups.
I prefer the 2 foot deep cages so I can reach all parts. Simply Redneck uses 4 foot and has to stick his head and torso inside to reach the far side. Your choice.
Thanks! I would do the processing myself. We built a state inspected poultry slaughter house on our farm a couple years ago so I'm looking at new ways to utilize it. We're also looking into ducks since we have a pond, but the area around the pond is a couple years away from being cleared and, from what I understand, ducks are more difficult to manage than chickens. Thanks again for your advice.Best wishes with what you decide. Since you are producing chickens, you may ask your FDA processor if they will process and inspect quail. Not sure how you'd market them in your state for sale to the general public.