Baby/Adult Quail needs?

[JurassicBawk]

So, people are discounting people's actual experience and photo proof on the claim that a wild bird might occasionally go between flocks so there's no reason to separate? Wow. I'm glad I haven't wandered into those forums yet.

Even taking disease out of the equation, a run with quail in it needs to be a fortress with a strong cover/netting, hardwire mesh around the bottom/ground, predator skirting, and without animals that can easily kill them. That's one reason mine are in hutches instead of an aviary despite having chain-link panels ready to make one... it's very hard to predator proof and boink-proof for these little guys. Also, when I had my quail hutch inside my chicken coop for 2 days, one quail popped out when I was feeding them and promptly got chased and cornered by my otherwise gentle hand-raised chickens. Had I not intervened, they would probably have pecked him to death.

Duckstruck- Good luck with your quail and keep us updated on what you do. It looks like you live somewhat close to me. If you get your quail accustomed to the weather they're quite happy outside year round here. Mine normally lay from the first of April until around Thanksgiving, then take a break for the winter.

 

[paneubert]

So, people are discounting people's actual experience and photo proof on the claim that a wild bird might occasionally go between flocks so there's no reason to separate? Wow. I'm glad I haven't wandered into those forums yet.

Can of worms my friend....can of worms. Haha. Duckstruck, let us know what you end up doing and how it works out!

 

[Duckstruck]

Thank you guys for posting!
Today, we drove to our grandparent's house and I got a good look at his quail's setup. He's updated his pens to be much bigger and longer for a "flight pen". He also built another pen for pheasants.
It turns out they keep the quail chicks at a breeder's house, then he takes them home when they're big enough to sustain. The breeder has quail, pheasants, and chickens on his plantain. Frankly, they aren't all kept together, but the majority of the quail looked fine. I didn't know how tiny quail chicks are until now! I bet I could fit 5 in my hand!

After reading your comments about quail's health, it seems like it isn't a good idea. Thank you for helping me dodge a bullet with that one. Although, he did offer me pheasants...

I know I probably posted in the wrong section. Again, thank you so much for guiding me through this!

 

[Duckstruck]

You know, I'll just stay with what I have. While I would like quail, I don't want to get close to the birds, then jeopardize their safety and wellbeing. Instead of getting another animal, I think I will make a garden for the critters and I

 

[JurassicBawk]

Speaking of gardening... I'm going to be making 4x8 open-bottomed cages to fit into my raised garden beds to put the quail in this winter after they've stopped laying eggs and my plants are finished for the year. I figure they'd love tilling up and fertilizing the soil for me from Nov-April, as long as I can make sure it's predator proof for them. Then come April just move them back into their hutches and start up the garden again.