anyone have ideas for a quail brooder?

[chicken_angler]

I am planning on hatching some Coturnix quail soon but I wanted to build the brooder first. I already have a chicken brooder that I made but it is huge and would be a waste of space for the quail chicks because I only plan on hatching about 2 dozen coturnix and maybe a dozen bobwhite.

What would be an appropriate size for about three dozen quail?

Thanks.

Cody!!

PS. Any pictures would be awesome too!

 

[RuffTuffCreampuff]

Right now I am just using those large rubbermaid tubs, with a window cut out of the top...that I cover with hardware cloth. When they first hatch, I use a smaller tub, and then move them to a larger one....after that they are fully feathered, and ready to go outside in the wire cages. If I do a large number, I use several tubs...and split them up.

Pam

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I just used a fish tank. You might have to use a bigger one than I did. I used a 10 gallon size. You can find them for free on craigslist or freecycle. And for mine I just used the light that came with the fish tank for heat. But just went and bought red bulbs for it. Kept them warm enough. Or maybe look on freecycle.. Oh and you can buy wire screens that fit them at pet shops so the little guys cant get out.

ETA that I fit 13 baby button quail in the 10 gallon. When they got a to big for it I moved them to a 20 gallon long. Then I just thinned out the color button quail I didnt want to keep and sold them to the petshop. Now there is enought room to wait till I can tell who is male and female.

 

[RuffTuffCreampuff]

I love the ideal of a fish tank, the clear glass would make watching them easier. They are so much fun to watch. I have my eye out for a good used one, but so far no luck.

Pam

 

[chicken_angler]

I like the idea of a fish tank because I actually have two extra 10 gallon tanks that have the screen lids for them!

I will look for a larger one wherever I go and maybe I can find a 20 gallon or thirty gallon. I do have a 29 gallon right now but it has my tropical fish in it.

Cody!!

 

[NancyDz]

Quail grow so fast and are poop machines. So whatever you make.. make sure it's easy to clean. I use a rubbermaid tote the first two weeks, then move them to a bird cage with 1/2 inch hardware cloth on the bottom and a plastic tray underneath. I do put a section of the shelf liner on the hardware cloth the first week they are on it so they can gradually get used to it. At this point they sit on my porch with a smaller heat lamp. They are almost fully feathered already. And by 4 weeks.. no heat lamp at all. I dont think I'd make a different brooder if you already have one... More space is fine and they grow so fast.


Nancy

 

[macnugget]

Cody you don't need anything expensive use what you got on hand after two weeks you can put them in your pen. just make sure your wire is small enough so they don't get out.They feather out quick and now that the warm weather is here I already put mine out side. Keep it simple. let me know when you want your eggs

 

[kycrawler]

i start 50 at a time in a 2x6 brooder boxes 18 inches deep , the box is big enough to get them up to 2-3 weeks when they go in wire cages , when they are first born i section a smaller part off untill they get thier legs under them

 

[chicken_angler]

Quote:
Would a 4 ft by 4 ft brooder be too big? I believe its 24 or 30 inches deep and it has the screen top on it. I used it for my chickens before I put them in their coop.

I will let you know when I can get the eggs. I am still working on convincing my parents to let me incubate. I even offered to pay a few bucks for it. lol

Cody!!

 

[Ole Bubba]

What RUFFTUFFCCREAMPUFF said. I have several of the rubbermaid tubs and they work great for the first couple of weeks (for 20 Jumbo Coturnix). I also have a 3 ft by 3 ft and a 4 ft by 4 ft for when they get larger or for larger numbers. Mine all go on wire (outside) at 3 weeks.