Coturnix quail coop

[MamaBear228]

I have 5 coturnix quail in the incubator ready to hatch any day now! How big should i make their indoor coop for 5? I heard they need 1 sq ft ler bird? Sounded like such little space but i suppose they are little birds! Thoughts?

 

[Sara L]

Are you asking about the brooder size (for chicks) or coop (for adults)?

Minimum brooder space for coturnix quail chicks would usually be 4-6 square inches per bird, increasing as they age/grow. They need enough space to run around and get away from each other if needed.

Minimum space for adult coturnix quail is usually recommended to be 1 square foot per bird, but more is usually better. Depends on space you have available. Are they going to be in a wire cage? Or on the ground? I have some of mine in wire cages that are 2 ft x 3 ft, with 2 - 6 birds per cage. I don't go over 6 birds because I don't want to crowd them too much.

 

[MamaBear228]

Are you asking about the brooder size (for chicks) or coop (for adults)?

Minimum brooder space for coturnix quail chicks would usually be 4-6 square inches per bird, increasing as they age/grow. They need enough space to run around and get away from each other if needed.

Minimum space for adult coturnix quail is usually recommended to be 1 square foot per bird, but more is usually better. Depends on space you have available. Are they going to be in a wire cage? Or on the ground? I have some of mine in wire cages that are 2 ft x 3 ft, with 2 - 6 birds per cage. I don't go over 6 birds because I don't want to crowd them too much.

Im talking about when they are full grown. I have the brooder all ready for them but havent build them a coop yet. Wire cage most likely so that i can bring it inside in bad weather and freezing temperatures.

 

[le_bwah]

1 sq ft always sounded small to me to, but it works. Some folks get by with even less. It also depends on why you're keeping the birds. For meat and eggs only, less will do because they won't be around as long. As pets, their comfort will be the first priority, so more is better.

 

[MamaBear228]

1 sq ft always sounded small to me to, but it works. Some folks get by with even less. It also depends on why you're keeping the birds. For meat and eggs only, less will do because they won't be around as long. As pets, their comfort will be the first priority, so more is better.

They are for eggs and then meat once they stop laying! We have our silkie chickens as our pets. So we could do a 4x4 cage for all 5? Plus they are getting their wings clipped immediately after hatching so they wont be able to fly. How tall does it need to be? Can they use a ramp or is one level best?

 

[le_bwah]

They are for eggs and then meat once they stop laying! We have our silkie chickens as our pets. So we could do a 4x4 cage for all 5? Plus they are getting their wings clipped immediately after hatching so they wont be able to fly. How tall does it need to be? Can they use a ramp or is one level best?

I wouldn't go less than a foot per bird. keep in mind that more space usually means better behaved birds (less fighting) no matter the species. Not to mention comfort for layers. Cages usually have to be either very short (less than 2 feet) or very tall (6+) in order to prevent them hitting their heads hard when they flush. I've heard some quail learn to use ramps (like into a prefab chicken coop), but for the most part they like to be near the ground on one level.

 

[Sara L]

One level is usually best, they don't like climbing or ramps normally, though you might be able to train them to use a ramp. Usually you want to go short or very tall to prevent boinking injuries. My wire cages are 12 inches tall, so they don't have much oomph to hurt their heads when they get startled.

 

[Erkenstein]

If you have the space, the larger the better since the birds will be happier and you'll have more flexibility to grow. 4x4 is awesome for 5 birds and I would say up to 10 comfortably.

Quail are gamebirds and unless you really tame them it's going to be traumatic to try to clip their wings. As in catching them and clipping their wings could stop them from laying.

It's better to build your cages to avoid any problems related to flying. They mainly just hop and run around anyway unless they are spooked. If you are keeping them indoors and there won't be dogs or anything running up to the cage and startling them, they will rarely use their wings.

However, they WILL start flying when they're about 1.5 weeks old in the brooder. Wouldn't you?

 

[MamaBear228]

If you have the space, the larger the better since the birds will be happier and you'll have more flexibility to grow. 4x4 is awesome for 5 birds and I would say up to 10 comfortably.

Quail are gamebirds and unless you really tame them it's going to be traumatic to try to clip their wings. As in catching them and clipping their wings could stop them from laying.

It's better to build your cages to avoid any problems related to flying. They mainly just hop and run around anyway unless they are spooked. If you are keeping them indoors and there won't be dogs or anything running up to the cage and startling them, they will rarely use their wings.

However, they WILL start flying when they're about 1.5 weeks old in the brooder. Wouldn't you?

Lmao thank you for the advice!! I definitely do not want to mess with egg production and if clipping wings(Not me doing it) effects that then i definitely dont want to do that! Ive had coturnix once before but only 2 and they were not interested in flying much lol my bobwhites on the other hand LOVE flying and every once in awhile they would get out of their coop and I lose them in my house. Lmao so definitely dont want to lose any!

 

[cottontail farm]

My quail overwinter in a rabbit hutch and i've found you can get by with a smaller space *if they're not bored*. lol. Think logs to climb over and places to hide in.
But seriously, the bigger the better, we all know how "just a couple of birds" can easily turn into a lot. And quail are so easy to incubate (and so delicious, honestly - figure 2 per adult for a meal) it's easy to get carried away.