What should be in a quail enclosure?

[DulcisPulli]

We just started raising chickens and I want to get into raising quail as well! They would be as pets/for eggs only, not culling them. I wanted to build a cage before I get them and I am asking for input on any ideas that I can throw in there. It needs to fit through a 33 inch wide door, so I am thinking about making it about 2-2.5ft wide and around 3-4 feet long. I am also planning on raising it up about 4-5 feet. I would have 3-4 quail in there. We live in central Florida where the weather is between 70-95 degrees. The pen will be in a screened in patio.

1. Do Quails like to have a hideaway/nesting area/coop in their pen?

2. Should I add rooster bars, and are dowels good for that?

3. Any recommendations on specific feeders or waterers? I see a lot of people using pop bottles for waterers.

4. Should I add some plants inside? Any recommendations?

5. What is healthier?: Hardware cloth on the bottom, or a solid bottom with pine shavings?

Thanks so much!

 

[lomine]

1. Do Quails like to have a hideaway/nesting area/coop in their pen? My hens like to lay their eggs either in their "coop" that has straw or under the cut off pine branches I put in the cage. The coop is just a wooden box with a hole at ground level. They all like being under the branches and the little two sided boxes I made from scrap wood.

2. Should I add rooster bars, and are dowels good for that? They don't roost so you don't need roosting bars.

3. Any recommendations on specific feeders or waterers? I see a lot of people using pop bottles for waterers. I just have the small ones for chickens. Works okay but does get dirty fast.

4. Should I add some plants inside? Any recommendations? I sprout grain seeds in shallow containers. Once they are about 3-4 inches tall I put them in with the quail. They are normally finished off in two days. I don't know how well plants would do long-term. The quail poo is too hot for most plants.

5. What is healthier?: Hardware cloth on the bottom, or a solid bottom with pine shavings? I think it depends on how often you clean. I have mine on the ground. You may want to look into the deep litter method. I use it in my chicken/duck run and really like it.


Here is a picture of my quail cage from the day I put it in. (Hadn't painted the roof yet.)

 

[DulcisPulli]

Thanks so much! Are there any brands of feed that you would recommend? Pretty much all the feed at TSC I saw was 18%, so I am looking for 28% (assuming what I read that quails need 28% is correct.)

 

[lomine]

I feed mine a gamebird/showbird feed. I think it's 28%. I'll have to look up the brand later. If the store doesn't have something like that you could try asking if they could special order something for you. You could also look at the unmediated chick feed, all flock mix, turkey feed, or a molting mix. Those are usually higher in protein.

You can also add stuff to boost the protein, like meal worms and cooked egg (make sure it is chopped fine for smaller birds and also give grit). But don't give young chicks whole mealworms because it can cause toe picking. I believe you want 28% to start but 24% is okay when they get to egg laying age. I just give mine the 28% because they also get treats (veggies and fruit). I also offer oyster shell and crushed egg shells in a separate bowl for my hens.

 

[UniqueQuail]

I use deep pine shaving. Works great . I use a rabbit waterer with a small tub under the outlet. Also recommend building a little tray outside with a gap for there head for feed. So they reach out and down to the feed. If they have access to it or water they make so so much mess. They are very stupid birds. Finally I can't comment on climate as I love in Scotland. So pretty much the opposite here.... Lol

 

[lomine]

The feed I give Manna Pro Gamebird/Showbird. I was wrong, it's 26%.

 

[eHuman]

My TSC carries Purina Gamebird Chow Growth and Plumage which is 30%. Do not use chick feed, not enough protein and the salt and mineral content is different if I understand correctly.