Building our Quail Hutch - Update 4/13/09

[bullrider]

Looks great

I also need to build one keeps us posted

 

[MichiganWoods]

OK, so here's where it's at today. Don't mind the hardware cloth. I'm just getting my pieces cut out and ready to install once I'm done painting (which I started, as you can see). I also need to clip out the hole where I will install the door, and of course I need to box off the cubes on the left hand side. I'm cutting up the wood for that today.

I decided I needed a little extra room (just in case all 50 of the eggs hatch), so I built an extension off to one side. -- Should I cover it as well? Or can quail have a small area that is uncovered to sun bathe in? The chickens love to do that.

 

[MichiganWoods]

Good thing I built the extension! Got the eggs this morning and she sent 60!!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Cass - it's beautiful!!!!! I'm getting ready to build something too so I can move mine outside. The only advice I have is make sure you build your poop trays at least an inch and a half if not two inches deep and in separate pieces. My cages are about 32" wide and almost 5 feet long. DBF built the trays but they are only about 3/4" to an inch deep and they fill up FAST. He made two separate trays for each cage but they are still really heavy and awkward for me to move so cleaning is tough. On the cages I plan to build outside, I'm considering using those aluminum lasagna pans so they will be light and easy to just dump in the garden.

Can't wait to see your finished project - I'm so inspired to get started!!!

 

[MichiganWoods]

Thank you, Cindy!

I've definitely got enough room to have poop trays between 1 1/2"- 2". Just went out and measured. I might have to look into finding some cheap lasagna pans too. That's a great idea!

If it doesn't rain on me today, I'll get at least one of the wooden cubes done.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

You're welcome! I'd say make them as deep as you can but still manageable. The more I'm thinking about it, 50-60 quail will fill up a couple inches super fast. Also, we used plywood for the trays and I line them with newspaper and then pine shavings. The wood gets wet even with the bedding which is why I'm thinking the pans would work better. Dump and go is the best way.

 

[MichiganWoods]

I'll be lucky if I get about half of them to hatch, what with them having been in the mail a few extra days.

Hey, I bet the dollar store would be a good place to look for pans!

 

[Boyd]

Hm....... Now ya'll giving me evil ideas

Can't you get those disposable pans from there?

 

[MichiganWoods]

I'm sure you can, but I bet even buying them from the dollar store that would add up very quickly and become expensive.

OK... so here's what I am doing for my boxed in area... I don't have a great assortment of tools so not all of my cuts are perfect.

Just doin' the best I can.

 

[citalk2much]

Looks nice