Converting chicken run to quail habitat?

[NSIN26]

Hi everyone,

I am being given a chicken run (it wont have the nest box in the picture) that I would like to convert into a Quail aviary. I believe it is around 4'x8'. I was thinking about building a new nesting box like in the picture but read that quail don't like them. I also read they won't walk up any ramp.

I am looking for guidance on what to build for them so they are happy? Something to add to give them coverage and protection from wind/cold in the winter because I am in the northeast?

Thank you for the help!

 

[GodLovesU]

Is the run made of chicken wire?

 

[NSIN26]

Is the run made of chicken wire?

It came with chicken wire but I took it off and I'm putting 1/2" hardware cloth on it.

 

[Nabiki]

Your quail may or may not use the ramp. They are ground birds by nature, but I have heard that some people have been successful with training their quail to use a ramp. Personally, I wouldn't make a multilevel habitat for quail.

 

[igorsMistress]

Plants that they can hide under, think chicken safe and it’s generally ok for quail. They’ll lay their eggs anywhere, so you’ll be hunting for them under the plants, but I had several that laid eggs under a few upside down bins I put out there. Just cut a door in them and voila.

 

[DAttard]

My girls lay in a box , they love Timothy hay and I only put it in the boxes.
I keep very little ground cover anywhere else and when I find eggs occasionally outside of box I move it to box.
99% of my eggs are in the box.
I also use an electric 15amp greenhouse mat under hay in box to take the edge off in winter and stop eggs from freezing.