Coturnix Quail Housing?

[ldrchickens]

Hey guys! I am needing some info on coturnix quail housing. I have 14 in a small pre-fab chicken coop/run that measures about 8 feet long by 3 feet wide. Of course they do not use the house part since it is so elevated but the floor space is as a mentioned. I believe we have 10 females and 4 roos. We planned on moving them to something bigger this spring but they are beginning to fight. Two roos now have eye injuries due to this. I am wanting to move them to a dog run that measures 10ft by 10ft that will have plants, branches, and other objects for hiding. For warmth I will put in a dog house to provide shelter from the wind and rain. My worry is that i have placed boxes in their current cage and they do not use any hides what so ever but it is inside my barn away from the elements so it is not a big deal. But the dog kennel will be in the back yard. Is it a smart move during this cold weather or should i separate the males and wait till it warms up. I guess it comes down to are they cold tolerant lol? TIA!

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

I would separate the males. I have 1 male to every 4 to 5 hens. This keeps the male occupied to prevent fighting for dominance over the other males.

 

[Kullas]

When I raised quail before and hope to soon again. I have 6 pens 2 foot by 2 foot. One foot tall. 4 hens and one Male. Egg production stayed up and no fighting. I used chicken water nipples on a auto water setup and fed out of metal rabbit feeders. Saved alot of waste of food.

 

[ldrchickens]

When I raised quail before and hope to soon again. I have 6 pens 2 foot by 2 foot. One foot tall. 4 hens and one Male. Egg production stayed up and no fighting. I used chicken water nipples on a auto water setup and fed out of metal rabbit feeders. Saved alot of waste of food.

I do plan on installing nipple waterers for all my birds this spring for sure

 

[Kullas]

Makes it nice and easy and keeps them in clean water.

 

[le_bwah]

An annecdote on Coturnix and shelter:

I gave mine the upper shell of a doghouse to get out of the wind/driving rain, plus several cardboard boxes and hollow logs. They only use this cover during the day, and prefer to sleep in a group out in the open no matter the weather/temperature (single digits at night).

Depending on your winters, you might want to tarp up part of the run to give them a windbreak, on the chance they won't take cover themselves.

 

[ldrchickens]

An annecdote on Coturnix and shelter:

I gave mine the upper shell of a doghouse to get out of the wind/driving rain, plus several cardboard boxes and hollow logs. They only use this cover during the day, and prefer to sleep in a group out in the open no matter the weather/temperature (single digits at night).

Depending on your winters, you might want to tarp up part of the run to give them a windbreak, on the chance they won't take cover themselves.

Thank you!