Bobwhite Quail Aviary

[offshorewife]

Husband wants to build a bobwhite quail aviary. We have our plans on paper for the actual aviary 15'x30' and 6' tall. We are going to hatch 100 or so eggs in the bator and once they can go in the aviary raise them for the freezer. We will however keep a few breeding pairs to continue the cycle for us.
My questions are:
1.What can I plant inside the aviary for hiding, shelter, & shade? We are in North Louisiana. We have some wild bamboo looking stuff here and I was thinking about transplanting some of it and keeping it cut back from the wire and maybe planting some boxwoods in there as well. I want something that is hardy but that I can keep from getting out of hand.
Also what are some things I can plant for food?
2. Also I have not had luck finding photos of little shelters for them inside the aviary. What sort of boxes or whatever would I need to add for them to get in out of the rain/heat/cold? We would like to raise them in a more natural habitat instead of in breeder cages etc.

Any help (especially photos) would be greatly appreciated. TIA
Nicole

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
First off, mega kudos on wanting to build such a naturalistic aviary for your birds - an aspect so often overlooked. I love it!!!!!!!

Regarding planting, you can go with natives and that would probably be the best bet, but keep in mind that it will require some maintenance to keep from overgrowing and to make it easer to service. Create a service path to feeders/waterers using gravel, wood mulch, or even bricks. Will prevent you from accidently stepping on birds that could be nesting to hiding in the grass. The selection of plants you have there in Louisana is much greater than we have here in MO, so have fun with it!! Plants for food can be choosen from a typical field plot - start the seeds under wire frame (use 2x2 or 2x4 to keep the wire off the ground and to allow the seedlings room to grow) and remove the wire once the plants are established. We've done this spray millet, milo, sunflowers, and even corn.

As far as shelters are concerned, in a well planted aviary, the birds will rarely use a shelter - the natural surroundings are shelter enough. Plant some evergreens and keep the base trimmed, our Leland Cypress keep the ground quite dry and the birds head there during storms. Bobwhite are cold-hardy birds, so minimal protection is required in area of the country. Shade will be provided by the plants.

For my aviaries, I cut plastic 55 gal drums in half and create a "cave" for which I place the feeders under. They are small and unobtrusive and will keep your feed dry (also gives another location for the birds to hide).

Good luck and hope others take your approach to keeping galliformes!!

Dan

 

[offshorewife]

Thanks for the info. Since we are starting out with an aviary with no plants I think we will use the drum idea until we get some cover established. I've also seen some using broken clay flower pots. I have a few I can break.

Looks like I'll be headed out into the woods to transplant some brush.

 

[Shelray]

Even though this information is old, great advice. I recently acquired 24 baby quail ( less than a week old) - we have only lost one in the last 5 weeks early on. They all seem to be doing well and I am trying to make there enclosure more naturalistic for them. I live in Mississippi and can use any advise. I am told they will lay on the ground. Will any of these hatch without any assistance from me?

Thanks

 

[Binki]

Even though this information is old, great advice. I recently acquired 24 baby quail ( less than a week old) - we have only lost one in the last 5 weeks early on. They all seem to be doing well and I am trying to make there enclosure more naturalistic for them. I live in Mississippi and can use any advise. I am told they will lay on the ground. Will any of these hatch without any assistance from me?

Thanks

What kind of quail do you have?

 

[blackdust951]

WHAT TYPE ARE THEY IF THE'RE COTURNIX IT'S UNLIKELY THEY WILL HATCH THEM I DON'T THINK BOBWHITE'S ARE GOOD INCUBATORS EITHER?BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND THEY ARE I THINK BUTTON/KING QUAIL ARE THE BEST INCUBATORS? TELL ME IF I'M WRONG

 

[blackdust951]

IF THE'RE COTURNIX THEY PROBABLY WON'T HATCH THEM BOBWHITE EITHER I THINK BUTTON/KING QUAIL ARE THE BEST INCUBATORS?TELL ME IF I'M WRONG

 

[Shelray]

We have Bob White's.