Aviary floors

[410farmer]

Should I just leave pavers bare or use sand. If I use sand do I suppose to rake it?
Any recommendations for a plucker. I want to harvest my extra males and females in 20-30 batches at a time

 

[Kale the Quail]

@Nabiki ?

 

[410farmer]

Still need to finish the wire and nail down the roof, it’s 10x8. Should I leave the dog house in for wintwr((Maryland) or Just build some smaller wood houses

 

[le_bwah]

Bare pavers will get messy fast. Sand dries droppings out pretty well. Yes, you will need to rake it. I would leave the doghouse in for winter and throw in some straw for insulation—tarp up the bottom half of the open side while you're at it for wind protection.

Don't leave them in there without cover to hide under/behind. Will have much fewer boinking injuries/stressed birds if they can break up line of sight between each other and/or potential predators. Quail need enrichment just like any other captive bird, even if their final destination is the dinner plate.

 

[410farmer]

Bare pavers will get messy fast. Sand dries droppings out pretty well. Yes, you will need to rake it. I would leave the doghouse in for winter and throw in some straw for insulation—tarp up the bottom half of the open side while you're at it for wind protection.

Don't leave them in there without cover to hide under/behind. Will have much fewer boinking injuries/stressed birds if they can break up line of sight between each other and/or potential predators. Quail need enrichment just like any other captive bird, even if their final destination is the dinner plate.

Thank you, so use a kitty litter scooper? Or just rake them sweep into dust pan. And I’ll think of some floor decor for them. I have some thick plastic I can use for the bottom.

 

[Rozza]

for plucking get boiling water and dunk them in once dead for 10-15 seconds and then cold water and feathers will basically fall out
may need slightly longer or second dunk for hard to remove feathers also pluck after dispatched but before removing guts legs or wings
this works for Japanese and wild haven't done others though it will be a bit of trail and error to find what works for you

also once cleaned i strongly suggest brineing as will make much juicier and better seasoning
the hearts livers and giblets are really good and worth eating to
i can send a good recipe if you want for the brine (im a chef by trade btw)

 

[Ratchnick]

Yeah, we want the recipe!

 

[Rozza]

this brine is suitable for all poultry it will be nice even for whole roasted birds
the recipe can easily be scaled down or up depending how much you are doing all times are approx and really depend on size of birds i have done assume Australian standard size
if you make and didn't make enough can just be topped up

5 Litres water
500 g salt fine or rock is fine (just use something cheap flakes arent worth what you pay for this)
100 g brown sugar
8 g whole peppercorns
1 head of garlic halved
1 onion quartered
1 bunch parsley stalks and all
10-15 bay leaves
1 lemon halved
1/4 bunch of tarragon (optional)

simply bring every thing to boil then allow to cool before adding poultry
cover with the brine and leave for (times bellow)
take out and pat dry
for quail i would suggest skin on and pan fry in a hot pan with a little salt and pepper and oil
depending on how fancy you want to go you can make a stock out of leftover bones and make a jus or gravy
would go very nice with a roast carrot puree and roasted veg or a nice seasonal salad

brineing times
quail jumbo
whole 45 min
broken down 30 min
quail normal
whole 30 min
broken down 20 min

duck
whole 2 hrs
breast 1 hr

turkey whole
12-24 hrs
breast 3-4 depends on size

chicken whole
4-6 hrs

 

[410farmer]

this brine is suitable for all poultry it will be nice even for whole roasted birds
the recipe can easily be scaled down or up depending how much you are doing all times are approx and really depend on size of birds i have done assume Australian standard size
if you make and didn't make enough can just be topped up

5 Litres water
500 g salt fine or rock is fine (just use something cheap flakes arent worth what you pay for this)
100 g brown sugar
8 g whole peppercorns
1 head of garlic halved
1 onion quartered
1 bunch parsley stalks and all
10-15 bay leaves
1 lemon halved
1/4 bunch of tarragon (optional)

simply bring every thing to boil then allow to cool before adding poultry
cover with the brine and leave for (times bellow)
take out and pat dry
for quail i would suggest skin on and pan fry in a hot pan with a little salt and pepper and oil
depending on how fancy you want to go you can make a stock out of leftover bones and make a jus or gravy
would go very nice with a roast carrot puree and roasted veg or a nice seasonal salad

brineing times
quail jumbo
whole 45 min
broken down 30 min
quail normal
whole 30 min
broken down 20 min

duck
whole 2 hrs
breast 1 hr

turkey whole
12-24 hrs
breast 3-4 depends on size

chicken whole
4-6 hrs

Nice defiantly going to try this

 

[410farmer]

How do I figure how much sand to get, I could get a truckload or something like 20 bags?