Bobwhite quail pens for out doors?

[stormylady]

Does anyone have any pictures of homes they built for the bobwhites as I need to make one but have no idea how much room they require, or furniture like nest box and or perches? I only have three quail at the moment so? Thanks in advance Sandy

 

[monarc23]

It really depends on what you want. Do you want them to live as wild as possible or do you want them to just be raised in pens? If in pens I'm pretty sure you can house a trio in a decient sized rabbit like cage....they do best in pairs but I haven't really heard of folks having problems with them in trios I think groups sometimes peole have probelms with though?

I am no expert on Bobs LOL

 

[stormylady]

Well thats what their in right now, is a 24x24 rabbit cage. But i would like to make it a little more homey for them, Should the pen be kept at ground level, or should I suspend it somehow off the ground , the chicks are about 12 wks old now, They have a pop can box, right now to go in but they never do go in it so do they even need a house? or just a box to nest in? What kinda plants are safe to put in it with them, are any poisonous to them? And also can I put the quail pen inside the chicken run? Thanks again Sandy

I think yes on the wilder side, almost so that they dont feel like there in a cage, does that make sense to you?

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
In that case get yourself netting and build thema flight pen

they'll be in heaven and you can make it pretty huge with not much netting

In a setup like that they won't relaly need a shelter because they can hide in plants. As for plants that are not poisonous to them i am of no help. You may want to PM Lophora for more info he will be more than happy to help he is very pro as wild as possible

 

[stormylady]

Thanks again for the suggestions! Im going to try and find some kind of pictures of flight pens as I have no I dea what that is. LOL Sandy

 

[Lophura]

Here are some recent links here on the BYC on the same subject:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=162704
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=153981
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=139960
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=124853

To add a couple of things from your post: Don't put with the chickens, could be a disaster in the making. Poisonous plants are not a real issue with Bobwhite. Being a native bird, they are pretty good at not eating what is bad for them. Any thing you can transplant from a surrounding area (aside dreaded fescue) that may contain wild Bobwhite would be great. I usually hit the woods & fields this time of year and start moving in new plants for the pens, perfect time for it. The natural cover will provide all the shelter they need.

Dan

 

[quailcottage]

Quote:
What is dreaded fescue"? thanks!

qc - confused

 

[Lophura]

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It's a lawn and pasture grass that doesn't provide much cover or food for native species.

For some plant ideas visit http://mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/quail/

Dan

 

[stormylady]

Thankyou I was wondering the same thing myself.
Lophura could you tell me if my chicks are boys or girls. I think that there girls but really I have no Idea.

All three pictures are of the same two birds. They are 12 weeks old and in the second picture it shows some white on the throat but really it is kinda grayish or tan/grey. The first picture shows there more true colors. Thankyou Sandy

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
It is a little tough to tell from the pictures. In a couple of more weeks, thier plumage will start to become more pronounced and you should be able to tell by then.

Dan