Attempting to build a quail coop

[aimee750]

My opinion is that would be tight. I would not run adults that tight.

 

[whatdoidohere]

That would still be 21 birds in 22 square feet. After you subtract the space for feeders, waterers, dirt bath, and hiding places, I don't think they're left with 1 square foot per bird. My pens are 20 square feet with no more than 12 birds per pen.

That sounds wonderful. I overbought birds and I'm trying to give them the best I can with the space I've got and that's why I'm limited to 22 sqft. Right now, their in quail cages which is ok, but not great and I'd like to give them something closer to their natural environment

 

[whatdoidohere]

My opinion is that would be tight. I would not run adults that tight.

So if the general guidance I've seen is 1 sqft per bird, what's closer to the truth?

 

[aimee750]

I run my (3 week+) quail in movable tractors that are 8x12 with 50-60 birds in each. They all get along wonderfully in that space.

 

[Nabiki]

So if the general guidance I've seen is 1 sqft per bird, what's closer to the truth?

1 square foot per bird minus space used by waterers, feeders, hiding places, and dirt bath. Let's say that your waterer and feeder and not large. That's probably 1 square foot. Dirt bath, another square foot. Hiding places, probably about 2 square feet. Those thing are taking at least 4 square feet of your 22 square feet, leaving 18 square feet for 22 birds. I would use more like 3-4 square feet in hiding places.

 

[TeresaW]

Doing some math here. . . .

@Nabiki said they keep 12 birds in 20 sq ft.
20 x .6 = 12

@aimee750 said they keep 50-60 birds in 8 x 12 tractor, which equals 96 sq ft.
96 x .6 = 57.6

Keeping with that formula the op with 22 sq ft. . .
22 x .6 = 13.2

Multiplying by .6 (or 60%) seems to work. I'm doing this for myself too as I'm building an aviary that will have 23 sq ft.

I'm not great with math, so let me know if I messed up.