Button Quail Protection

[isegal]

I have an outdoor coop that I am making for my button quail. It is not very sturdy, made of chicken wire and a nylon wrapper around. There are occasionally raccoons, cats, and even skunks wandering around our yard. Not often, though. My quail absolutely can not die. How can I protect them from these predators? I'm thinking some sort of smell, spray, movement-activated light, or water sprayer, or something else. Please help!

 

[nuthatched]

The only answer is to rebuild your coop with lumber and hardware cloth or keep them inside.
Anything can get through chicken wire.
Can you post pictures of what your coop is so we can help you fortify it?

 

[isegal]

The only answer is to rebuild your coop with lumber and hardware cloth or keep them inside.
Anything can get through chicken wire.
Can you post pictures of what your coop is so we can help you fortify it?

We have hardware cloth. Would it he possible to put it around the bottom at this point after we've already added the wood? The wooden planks are to hold the clear nylon around for some protection against wind and rain. Do all those racoon repellents I see online not work?

 

[nuthatched]

We have hardware cloth. Would it he possible to put it around the bottom at this point after we've already added the wood? The wooden planks are to hold the clear nylon around for some protection against wind and rain. Do all those racoon repellents I see online not work?

You're definitely going to want to beef up the walls/roof with hardware cloth or 2x3 fencing . You can sandwich it over the wood and another piece of lumber.
If the little coop is secure, it may buy you more time.
I've never seen a repellent work.

 

[isegal]

You're definitely going to want to beef up the walls/roof with hardware cloth or 2x3 fencing . You can sandwich it over the wood and another piece of lumber.
If the little coop is secure, it may buy you more time.
I've never seen a repellent work.

You're definitely going to want to beef up the walls/roof with hardware cloth or 2x3 fencing . You can sandwich it over the wood and another piece of lumber.
If the little coop is secure, it may buy you more time.
I've never seen a repellent work.

Were coating the lower half with hardware cloth.

 

[nuthatched]

Were coating the lower half with hardware cloth.

And the roof with the corrugated vinyl? Soybds good, you may want to add extra bracing between the corners for more support . A coon can get into anything you can get your fist through, so also keep that in mind.

 

[007Sean]

We have hardware cloth. Would it he possible to put it around the bottom at this point after we've already added the wood? The wooden planks are to hold the clear nylon around for some protection against wind and rain. Do all those racoon repellents I see online not work?

If I we're you, I'd put either 1/2" HC all over the wooden frame or 1" by 1/2" welded wire.
The buttons will not go to roost in the coop like chickens do! They will roost where ever they feel like it.....raccoons, feral cats as well as domestic cats can and will reach through the chicken wire openings and 'rip' the birds through the wire. ...not a pretty picture of how they are literally ripped apart and pulled through the wire. A raccoon repellent will not work! They are made to sell to an unsuspecting buyer!...a total waste of money!

 

[isegal]

If I we're you, I'd put either 1/2" HC all over the wooden frame or 1" by 1/2" welded wire.
The buttons will not go to roost in the coop like chickens do! They will roost where ever they feel like it.....raccoons, feral cats as well as domestic cats can and will reach through the chicken wire openings and 'rip' the birds through the wire. ...not a pretty picture of how they are literally ripped apart and pulled through the wire. A raccoon repellent will not work! They are made to sell to an unsuspecting buyer!...a total waste of money!

The heat will be inside the coop, sophisticated hopefully they sleep there and lay there. Will the birds not run away from the raccoons hand in the coop?

 

[isegal]

And the roof with the corrugated vinyl? Soybds good, you may want to add extra bracing between the corners for more support . A coon can get into anything you can get your fist through, so also keep that in mind.

Will hardware cloth be good for the roof, with a tarp on top?