Having a hard time finding this...

[ManOverBoard]

Are cotournix quail cold hardy?
We're in zone 7
We let our chickens out but keep a coop with a heat light for them, would the same kind of set up work for quail?

 

[le_bwah]

Hi! I also live in a Zone 7 climate, but high desert—we get relatively mild winters (weeks in single-digit lows, Farenheit) and hot summers (highs in the 110s F).

My young hens do fine with a good windbreak (I made tarp panels I can screw into the aviary) and deep straw to burrow in at night. When I have birds older than 4, I provide heating plates for them to sleep on. Mine tend to pair up at night anyways, sharing heat.

Here's a picture of my straw setup:

And a depth reference:

In my experience, Coturnix are generally more prone to being hurt by hot summers than cold winters. So long as they have A) a dry cage, B) a sheltered place to get out of the wind and weather, and C) an insulating substrate, they do really well in winter conditions.

If you ever notice them shivering badly despite your efforts, you could always add heat—I've used both ceramic reptile heat emitters and heating pads, and I like the pads better because the quail can safely stand on them.

I wish you and your birds success!

 

[Nabiki]

As long as they are dry, out of the wind, and have small shelters, they are very cold hardy.