Bobwhite basics

[GooderSan]

I am soon (a few weeks) going to be the overwhelmed recipient of 40-60 bobwhite quail chicks. I have been putting the basics together, mainly brooding equipment, but still understand very little about the finer points of raising quail. I am a build it yourself, strong so it lasts kind of person and I have an area in my barn I plan to use as a grow-out pen, but I am beginning to doubt if it is an appropriate size. It is about 7'x7' and as tall as I want to build it (which is probably about 7' so i can walk in). What kind of space requirements do bobwhites have? I plan on 1/2x1/2 hardware cloth around the inside of the stall walls (made of hardwood pallets) and 1" chicken wire above that and over the top. I know they don't roost, but would they use small "landing pads" around the pen, like little 2' sq platforms raised off the ground? Any advice for home built feeders/waterers would also be appreciated, as I can't stand wasted feed.

 

[eggbert420]

They like to hide under stuff rather than perch on stuff

 

[DK newbie]

The usual space recommendation for bobwhites is 2 sqft per bird. That is about twice as much room as you have. Apparently they tend to be aggressive if you give them any less than that - and once mature they might very well be aggressive even with twice that much in the breeding season.
I might be wrong, but I think bobwhites DO actually roost? Coturnix and button quail don't, but bobwhites are a different species. You should be able to find the correct answer on this forum - it holds lots of information. Same with feeders and waterers - I've seen several post about the systems people use, just use the search tab and you shall find
Good luck with the project.

 

[GooderSan]

2 sqft per bird is going to be a ridiculous amount of space (i have another open stall that would be about 70 sqft, but would rather not use it in case I get goats again). Is this necessary even if I plan on putting the whole lot in the freezer after 4 months or so? I might keep a pair or two if it goes well and build them a separate pen.

 

[DK newbie]

Can't say I know whether it's a must - most of my knowledge of bobwhites comes from this forum and there aren't too many descriptions of what works from people who actually keep them - I'm not sure I know of anyone on here who keep larger numbers for slaughter. I have a feeling I've read they should be more than 4 months old before slaughter though? Not sure about that.

 

[paneubert]

If they are being caged in pairs or trios, smaller space can work per pair or trio. If you are having all 40-60 in one large 7 by 7 area, you are asking for trouble. Since it sounds like you are raising for meat and not breeding, I doubt you plan to pair or trio them up?

 

[BaJa]

7x7 is way to small. bobwhites are pretty wild birds and love space.