Completely new, trying to figure out coop/run housing?

[enigmachick]

I posted this on the coop forum before I realized there was a quail forum!
I am a complete newbie, we want to have the quail outdoors and in a coop/run situation (not cages) I was trying to figure out how to set it up for how they behave...I wanted to get an Omlet Eglu Go Up because it's plastic and easier to spray down but it's unclear to me how well it will work. They have other run designs but this one is taller (I've read quail can jump up and hurt themselves on low runs), has a double door (I also read that they escape easily) and it's big enough for the kids to walk in and pick up eggs. It is designed for chickens and I know quail won't nest the same but will they still use the coop? If I replace the ladder with a wooden ramp will they be able to get up into it? Lastly, this is designed to be able to "tractor", our yard is quite small but if we move it every week do we need to address the poop left over or will it simply decompose into the lawn? Thank you SO much for your help. I've attached a picture of the coop/run setup.

 

[Nabiki]

That looks nice, but don't expect the quail to use the ramp and coop portion. They're ground birds, so they'd hang out under the coop, but not in it.

 

[enigmachick]

That looks nice, but don't expect the quail to use the ramp and coop portion. They're ground birds, so they'd hang out under the coop, but not in it.

That's what I was wondering, we get below zero though, would they still stay outside?

If they want to be on the ground, do you even want a coop? Surely in the winter they'd need something wouldn't they?

 

[Ehdeedee]

I don't know if it's allowed to send people to youtube videos, but there is a guy that keeps his quail outside, and he is in an area that gets far below freezing, around -20C (not sure in f?). His channel is 'Slightly Rednecked' and you can see his outdoor setup. He has one video specifically on outdoor quail in the cold. However - his quail are raised off of the ground. I assume to keep the quail away from predators as they are food for pretty much everything.

 

[Nabiki]

That's what I was wondering, we get below zero though, would they still stay outside?

If they want to be on the ground, do you even want a coop? Surely in the winter they'd need something wouldn't they?

Coturnix quail are quite hardy. As long as they have shelter and are dry (especially their feet) they can handle freezing temperatures. Since you're in England when you say 0, you mean celsius, right? Below 0 farenheit might be a problem, but celsius should be fine.

You can use almost anything for shelters. I use cardboard boxes with entrances cut in them, big enough for 2-4 quail to fit in side snugly which I compost when they get wet or dirty. They like hiding spaces so those work well for both shelter and hidey holes.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

My quail hate drafts and moisture more than actual cold weather. When it's chilly, they just puff up and they are fine and dandy. But if theres a breeze or rain they're miserable without a tarp or some boxes stuffed with bedding to burrow in.

 

[FloorCandy]

I’m just starting quail as well. I looked at the omlet options and I was ready to order the one that’s like a rabbit run on the ground connected to an eglu. However, due to shipping delays, it wouldn’t have shipped until the end of May and I was worried if it got further delayed, I wouldn’t get it in time.

concerns I had with the model you listed were if they won’t use the ramp, and it seems some do and some don’t, the expensive hutch area is a waste, and if you want to just use the caged area, the hutch can be removed, but leaves a huge hutch shaped escape hole.

You can just use the hutch in a different setup, but then you have a useless large partial cage.

Also I worried they would choose to congregate under the hutch, making birds and eggs difficult to reach.

what I really want end game is a walk in aviary that’s about 5x9 feet. I had it all selected in amazon, and bam sold out, as did all my other choices, it was crazy!

I got something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080CK8CK/ref=posts

It checked a lot of boxes, wire area to experience a bit of nature and sunshine, large indoor coop area I can stand the feeders in when weather is bad, ground level living area, but slightly raised off mud and wet so the whole bottom won’t rot, it has a removable tray, and it opens all over for easy access to all areas.

I read some decent reviews, and one person said it had been a perfect solution for her quail until a neighbors dog jumped onto it and crushed it. So I’m hoping it’ll be good to start, and I can later get an aviary and diy connect the hutch.

 

[Nabiki]

I have two of these and just ordered one of these. They are a lot less expensive than the ones you two have picked out, and have worked very well for my quail.

I really like the Summerhawk Ranch enclosures, but after I did a bunch of research, it seems that they've gone out of business.

 

[Nabiki]

Here's a picture of my setup. These pens are fairly easy to move around, and I move them around my yard and garden beds. The quail fertilize the beds during the winter and kill the weeds under my pine trees during the summer.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Here's a picture of my setup. These pens are fairly easy to move around, and I move them around my yard and garden beds. The quail fertilize the beds during the winter and kill the weeds under my pine trees during the summer.
View attachment 2116551

Do you have a better picture, maybe one from back farther? Looks cool, I'm interested in seeing more if possible!

Also, how is it predator proof?

Thanks!