Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Here's an example of a hoop coop:
http://www.raincreekpottery.com/Pages/HoopCoopChickenTractor.aspx
I plan to do one with a wire floor for quail, and hardware cloth sides.
Will also be adding electric fence around the outside for added protection.

 

[keepmumsane]

Ooooooooooh what's a hoop coop???
Are they expensive to build?
I didn't plan this out too well having them hatch right around Christmas

I saw a hoop coop on here actually... simple, but probably useless if its snowing where you are now
I thought we'd build one like this..
http://www.chooks.co.nz/p/257/rabbittube
but pretty it up with paint and embellishments for the kiddlets and the fact its in my back garden ...

Mine hatched over 17 - 19.. I locked down at 14. .. I stuffed up the humidity at the last count by opening and closing it, [otentially lost a few, but have given myself a good slapping for it.Goingto get more eggs after the christmas post rush and hatch in January. Its summer here. Judging from the noises they're making I got a few roos in the mix... doh!

 

[teradragon]

I've locked down today - day 14. So excited!!!!

 

[dutchbunny83]

Here's an example of a hoop coop:
http://www.raincreekpottery.com/Pages/HoopCoopChickenTractor.aspx
I plan to do one with a wire floor for quail, and hardware cloth sides.
Will also be adding electric fence around the outside for added protection.

Thanks!
Seems pretty expensive to build since I'd have to use hardware cloth for quail. That stuff is like $50 for a small roll!
How many quail could you comfortably fit in one of those?
I hear they get canabalistic and the boys fight.
A lot of people are telling me to keep them 4 girls 1 boy in little rabbit cages.
I don't know I'm not a big fan of cages, even my 2 rabbits and 2 guinea pigs have free run of the yard. They built themselves a whole village under the shed haha. They've been out there for 9 months now, and never leave the yard and (knock on wood) no predators mess with them. I have a big ol' cat and he watches out for them.

 

[dutchbunny83]

I saw a hoop coop on here actually... simple, but probably useless if its snowing where you are now
I thought we'd build one like this..
http://www.chooks.co.nz/p/257/rabbittube
but pretty it up with paint and embellishments for the kiddlets and the fact its in my back garden ...

Mine hatched over 17 - 19.. I locked down at 14. .. I stuffed up the humidity at the last count by opening and closing it, [otentially lost a few, but have given myself a good slapping for it.Goingto get more eggs after the christmas post rush and hatch in January. Its summer here. Judging from the noises they're making I got a few roos in the mix... doh!

That's a good idea, but $400 is a lot of money, building it yourself is definitely the way to go!!!
We don't have snow (North Carolina US), but it is CRAZY cold here!!!! (well crazy for us-- getting down in the 20's overnight some nights. We've been here 5 years now and it's never been this cold!)
I'm guessing you're in Australia based on it being summer??? (well guess it could be New Zealand or something else over that way too....)

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Not sure how many it will hold, its a lot of space! I get a lot of calls for trio/quads of breeders, so I always have a lot coming and going.
Not hatching right now since our temps are hitting zero at night, and the holidays are so hectic.
Think I will start back up in january.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Yeah I didn't plan this out at ALL!
I'm very impulsive, saw quail eggs on ebay and I thought they were so cute so I bought them!
With no plan on how I am housing all of these & didn't even think about it being winter!
Only getting in the 30s/20s at night here, but still way to cold to just put babies out there!!!!
They were only being sold in mass quantities too so I have 120 in the bator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[QuailRaiser]

And here i was thinking i was an impulsive shopper XD

 

[keepmumsane]

That's a good idea, but $400 is a lot of money, building it yourself is definitely the way to go!!!
We don't have snow (North Carolina US), but it is CRAZY cold here!!!!  (well crazy for us-- getting down in the 20's overnight some nights.  We've been here 5 years now and it's never been this cold!)
I'm guessing you're in Australia based on it being summer???  (well guess it could be New Zealand or something else over that way too....)

New Zealand
Cages are expensive.
My birds are small kinda thrush size, everything I have read says they vsnish if you free range them. My csts and dog wont attempt the chooks, but a teeny quail is a tasty nibble. They also startle and fly...I'd hate yours to evaporate. Lots of people keep them in small groups on wire. I think a decent size hoop should allow for quail fun, but keep them safe, and mean I can find the eggs.

Oh and Speaking of eggs... Got One this morning! Pretty sure they're only 5 weeks old.
Amazing!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Ohh congrats! The eggs come pretty steady once they hit 8 weeks or so. If you use a cage, the roll out egg tray is a huge eggsaver!
I want an aviary for the quail just to enjoy watching them, and to keep them in a natural setting in the winter months.
If it works out well, I may just leave them for the summer too.
I won't free range mine, we have stray cats, fox, coyote, hawk etc way too many predators here. They are here to feed me not the wildlife!
I plan to do pheasant this spring also. Filing the permit once I finish the flight pen.
My LF chickens, turkeys, waterfowl etc all free range during the day, but I do not clip wings and most of my birds fly very well.
Its rare for us to have a loss. I also carry a rifle and am out with them the majority of the day however.