my newbie quail setup - suggestions to make it better plus questions

[firefowl]

I built this cage from a dissasembled pallet and a left over fence sheet. I had to pay for screws, staples and hardware cloth/aviary netting. The watering system I built from beaktime lubbing cups, 15mm pvc pipe, 15mm pvc end cap, 15mm pvc valve socket male thread, a irrigation female thread to 13mm barb, plumbing teflon tape, 13mm food grade hose and a beer fermenter with a tap as the reservoir.

There's not much more to it than that so I want to know how I can make it better. The feeder is inefficient because they flick so much feed away. There's no provision for an enclosed/covered area or any solid floor for them to rest their feet. Any specific suggestions for improvement and how I would go about it?

Also how many quail can comfortably live here? Currently I have 5 hens and 1 rooster. I also installed the water system a bit low, will this be a problem? How many of these size cages would I need to supply myself with meat from 2 quails each day? Could a brooder be built in a similair fashion to this cage from pallet wood?

 

[CapricornFarm]

I like it, and they should be fine. Maybe add a pan with sand in it for bathing. A brooder would have to be more enclosed , so maybe some plywood sides. Good luck.

 

[paneubert]

Do you have any raccoons? Some people have trouble with predators reaching in from the bottom to grab birds. Solution is to wire the front as well, or raise it high enough that they cant reach.

 

[cridjynx]

The wife and I started to do the math on your eating 2 quail a day question. We came up with lots. We gave up, but it kept us entertained for awhile. Good luck!

 

[birdmandan]

That's a mighty good set up. You can probably fit a dozen quails in there quite comfortably. If you have another 2 of those and incubate 80 eggs a month, you could have enough meat for 2 birds a day and whole lot of boiled, fried, poached and pickled eggs.