Concerns for outdoor buttons?

[NewToQuail]

My button babies are growing up and eventually I'm going to have to figure out housing.

Only 6 are staying with me (the others are going to a friend) but we will both be housing them similarly.

I plan to build an outdoor run (still deciding on size, thinking 3' or 4' by 6' or 7') which will house 3 hutches (a same sex pair in each). During the day at least one pair can come out to run around and at night they'll all be secure in their hutches. Plus, in the winter, the hutches can be moved indoors as it's too cold here for them to stay outside all year.

What are some concerns when having outdoor birds?

Obviously predators is a huge thing; even with having them locked in hutches at night, I was thinking we should bury some of the mesh (how deep?) and possibly have a layer of strong, larger gauge wire on the outside of the pen frame, with a finer mesh on the inside? I don't know how strong any predators would be, but I imagine the mesh used for buttons would not really stand up to an determined predator?

Do outdoor birds need to be wormed? What can they pick up from being let to run around in the grass?

I'm new to having outdoor birds, so any help would be fantastic!

 

[rinnith]

use a radio, leave it on all night! predators normally won't dare... that what I heard and it sounds correct.

 

[monarc23]

Button quails do fine outside even in northern winters, as long as they have buddies to snuggle with IN an enclosed draft free area of their enclosure

You dont need to worm them unless you start noticing weight loss... which isn't common worming is normally only needed if you're planning on eating your birds.

However a ground home if you're in a northern environment can be really cold for them lil buggers a home raised up off the ground might be better suited if you're in a colder climate.

 

[NewToQuail]

The hutches that they will sleep in will be raised up with a closed off wooden box. The actual pen will just be for day time, so they're not bored and stuck in a cage all day.

Even though worming is usually for if you're eating them, since these are my pets, I want them to be healthy. I guess I'll just talk to my vet next time I see him and get his opinion.

Where I live doesn't get too cold, I think last winter some mornings were down in the single digits though, which is colder than normal for us. I really don't want to risk their health though, which is why I plan to have them indoors once it gets cold.

 

[monarc23]

If they're indoors once it gets cold I dont see any problems with your idea

Just remember most vets dont know much about exotic pets... unless they themselves ARE a certified exotic vet... vets not certified for exotics have many times overdosed peoples pets...button quails would require a VERY VERY small dose of wormer....i personally think it's a risk to worm them. edited to add: Im meaning i thikn it's a risk to worm them without them being full of worms.