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[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.

 

[ManOverBoard]

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:
View attachment 4063039

And a depth reference: View attachment 4063038

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!

Thank you for such a wonderful reply!
I can't get over how sweet your little lady looks in that straw
We're on the coast so we get damp cold, but your tips are super helpful for making their enclosure right the first time.
We're first time quail owners hopefully in a week ( eggs in the incubator) and we're looking to keep them for eggs and meat.
But we want them to be super happy

 

[ManOverBoard]

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

Thank you!

 

[ManOverBoard]

Thank you for such a wonderful reply!
I can't get over how sweet your little lady looks in that straw
We're on the coast so we get damp cold, but your tips are super helpful for making their enclosure right the first time.
We're first time quail owners hopefully in a week ( eggs in the incubator) and we're looking to keep them for eggs and meat.
But we want them to be super happy

Hatchy hatchy

 

[ManOverBoard]

Hatchy hatchyView attachment 4070607View attachment 4070606

More to come