Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[hosspak]

I have a 10ft x 10ft chicken coop with about 7 foot in height. It's fairly large. Inside of that space I have a standard sized chicken coop with a nesting box built into the frame. I am thinking of getting quail and hens. Thinking of keeping the quail inside of the chicken coop and the chickens/ducks on the outside of it but still within the 10x10 framed cage. Make sense? Because to my understanding they don't need a lot of space and they should probably be protected from the larger birds? Unless I give them higher perch? Higher nesting boxes?

THANKS

Keep them in a small area and mine don't use nests. If they are in a big area you will have a hard time finding the eggs.

 

[hosspak]

I have a 10ft x 10ft chicken coop with about 7 foot in height. It's fairly large. Inside of that space I have a standard sized chicken coop with a nesting box built into the frame. I am thinking of getting quail and hens. Thinking of keeping the quail inside of the chicken coop and the chickens/ducks on the outside of it but still within the 10x10 framed cage. Make sense? Because to my understanding they don't need a lot of space and they should probably be protected from the larger birds? Unless I give them higher perch? Higher nesting boxes?

THANKS

I have 2 small pens inside my run and yes... keep the chickens from contacting the quail, they will kill them.

 

[Sill]

I have a 10ft x 10ft chicken coop with about 7 foot in height. It's fairly large. Inside of that space I have a standard sized chicken coop with a nesting box built into the frame. I am thinking of getting quail and hens. Thinking of keeping the quail inside of the chicken coop and the chickens/ducks on the outside of it but still within the 10x10 framed cage. Make sense? Because to my understanding they don't need a lot of space and they should probably be protected from the larger birds? Unless I give them higher perch? Higher nesting boxes?

THANKS

I'm assuming since this thread is dedicated to coturnix quail that is what you are thinking about keeping them in this coop? First off yes they need protection from the other birds but not just for the reasons you are probably thinking. Chickens carry diseases that can be fatal to quail so if you keep both species you must practice good bio-security for the health of your quail. See the thread in my signature about why you shouldn't keep quail with chickens. Second thing is they don't perch, ever. They are strictly ground birds and even roost/sleep on the ground. Some people have enclosures with ramps up to higher sections that they have taught their quail to use but they are not needed and some may never use them. Higher nesting boxes can be a problem because these birds don't want to go higher to lay eggs, they want to lay them on the ground and may lay them anywhere, though many choose to lay them in their sand boxes, or other semi secluded areas, but often they just squat and drop one then continue on their merry way.

 

[hosspak]

With the help of my nephew, I got the roof and all the sides on my new quail pen before it got dark after I got home. He's really handy with a hammer for a nine year old...

hopefully we can get it done tomorrow because they're starting to mate and fight.

One of my whites is laying blueish greenish eggs... Do they normally have various tinted eggs?

You will probably never find two that look alike;

I keep my adult quail in this but now it's inside the covered run.

I use this rabbit hutch for a grow out pen.

 

[tysonphotos]

There is a person (breeder?) that is selling coturnix adult layers at $3 each. So i was considering getting a few. I had chickens before. Well, before a raccoon made a mighty meal out of all 5 of my birds. SO SAD! So, I am in the process of securing the coop to the highest standards. After I feel it is completely secured I will get my flock going again. Interesting about the height and death scenario. I am such an animal lover that I feel the more room the better. I guess not?? I would feel weird about the birds not having enough roaming room?? Are they really that dumb that they fly and hit their head and die?? lol so weird. I will try and post a photo of the coop tomorrow. I LOVE quail eggs and they are so darn expensive!!!

 

[tysonphotos]

SORRY IM LEARNING HOW TO DO THIS CORRECTLY (replying to right persons etc)

There is a person (breeder?) that is selling coturnix adult layers at $3 each. So i was considering getting a few. I had chickens before. Well, before a raccoon made a mighty meal out of all 5 of my birds. SO SAD! So, I am in the process of securing the coop to the highest standards. After I feel it is completely secured I will get my flock going again. Interesting about the height and death scenario. I am such an animal lover that I feel the more room the better. I guess not?? I would feel weird about the birds not having enough roaming room?? Are they really that dumb that they fly and hit their head and die?? lol so weird. I will try and post a photo of the coop tomorrow. I LOVE quail eggs and they are so darn expensive!!!

 

[tysonphotos]

Do they go up the ramp? This is similar to what I have within my run as well. It was used for my chickens. But was thinking of using it for my quail only with the chickens just using the covered run. Because that would be ideal.

 

[Sill]

There is a person (breeder?) that is selling coturnix adult layers at $3 each. So i was considering getting a few. I had chickens before. Well, before a raccoon made a mighty meal out of all 5 of my birds. SO SAD! So, I am in the process of securing the coop to the highest standards. After I feel it is completely secured I will get my flock going again. Interesting about the height and death scenario. I am such an animal lover that I feel the more room the better. I guess not?? I would feel weird about the birds not having enough roaming room?? Are they really that dumb that they fly and hit their head and die?? lol so weird. I will try and post a photo of the coop tomorrow. I LOVE quail eggs and they are so darn expensive!!!

Its not that they are dumb, their first instinct when startled is to flush straight up then fly a short distance from danger. Ever seen a wild covey of quail flush from a hunter and dog? When they flush in a cage or coop it's not such a good thing. A short cage, 12 inches or less, tends to keep them from getting enough momentum to break their necks or boink their skulls.

 

[tysonphotos]

Ok now I'm feeling dumb. HA. Yes, i get it now. Thats so sad. Ok so my coop would be WAY to high for them. I am thinking of trying to keep them in the smaller chicken coop with the ramp. Are they community birds? They like to live in groups? I think it was mentioned 1 bird per 1 sq foot right?

 

[hosspak]

Ok now I'm feeling dumb. HA. Yes, i get it now. Thats so sad. Ok so my coop would be WAY to high for them. I am thinking of trying to keep them in the smaller chicken coop with the ramp. Are they community birds? They like to live in groups? I think it was mentioned 1 bird per 1 sq foot right?

Well...any birds raised in a coop will be community birds, lol. Yes, the 1:1 ratio is a good in addition to keeping a 1 male to 3/4 females.