Any quail abode designers here? 😂

[becomingquailmommy]

Hi all! I need to get this thing set up for our 3 week olds to move into soon. Would love to hear your suggestions on what to put in here, and even layout ideas if you feel up for it. I’m guessing I should do something about the interior height of the two taller screened in sides (left and right). Will be difficult to lower ceiling height on the right side because of the cutout with the ramp, but might be able to raise the floor on that side?

I’m undecided on bedding (all of the floors slide out for cleaning), and dont have feeding and watering picked out, but can make do with what I have in their brooder box thing for now, so I’m not panicking about that part yet.

 

[Debbie292d]

Here's two excellent articles about raising quail and what they like.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/housing-and-feeding-your-quail.67371/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-started-in-raising-and-keeping-quail.67344/

Good luck!

 

[Nabiki]

I see ramps in there. Quail are ground birds by nature, so they may or may not use the ramps.

Make sure they have plenty of hiding places. You may need to reinforce this one as most of the premade, inexpensive ones of this style can be a bit flimsy and are certainly not predator proof.

 

[becomingquailmommy]

I see ramps in there. Quail are ground birds by nature, so they may or may not use the ramps.

Make sure they have plenty of hiding places. You may need to reinforce this one as most of the premade, inexpensive ones of this style can be a bit flimsy and are certainly not predator proof.

We’re going to build cubbies beneath it so I have storage for all the quail supplies + it’ll be off the ground. Doing research today on predator deterrent locks for the floor slide outs and to replace the current latches. You’re right, this may not be the most sturdy, thankfully my husband is handy and has promised to reinforce the structure.

Another paranoid mom question…can they get their little feet caught in the wire mesh, should I make a short plexiglass border along the interior?

 

[gwboolean]

Hi all! I need to get this thing set up for our 3 week olds to move into soon. Would love to hear your suggestions on what to put in here, and even layout ideas if you feel up for it. I’m guessing I should do something about the interior height of the two taller screened in sides (left and right). Will be difficult to lower ceiling height on the right side because of the cutout with the ramp, but might be able to raise the floor on that side?

I’m undecided on bedding (all of the floors slide out for cleaning), and dont have feeding and watering picked out, but can make do with what I have in their brooder box thing for now, so I’m not panicking about that part yet.

One thing. All quail prefer to be on the ground. Give them one level, with interesting things in it that they can hide in. If these are going to be working quail (for egg laying), then you need places and space for the hens to work with.

 

[Nabiki]

We’re going to build cubbies beneath it so I have storage for all the quail supplies + it’ll be off the ground. Doing research today on predator deterrent locks for the floor slide outs and to replace the current latches. You’re right, this may not be the most sturdy, thankfully my husband is handy and has promised to reinforce the structure.

Another paranoid mom question…can they get their little feet caught in the wire mesh, should I make a short plexiglass border along the interior?

What size is the mesh? If it's 1/2", it should be okay. Larger than that, and their feet might get caught, or more likely a raccoon will reach in and pull the birds out in pieces.

 

[becomingquailmommy]

What size is the mesh? If it's 1/2", it should be okay. Larger than that, and their feet might get caught, or more likely a raccoon will reach in and pull the birds out in pieces.

It’s 1/2” mesh