Deciding on a cage for my first quails

[ilederman]

Hi everyone! So I recently went to someone's house that raised quail and we ate their eggs. I ended up being so amazed at the idea of having my own supply of eggs and possibly meat in my backyard. I instantly started reading about it and have read so much on this site. So much good information!

I found a seller on Craigslist that is selling jumbo cortunix. I was thinking of getting 1 male and 3 females to start with next week and want to set up their house this weekend, but had a few questions:

What do you guys think of this cage? I would put some smaller wire up front.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HSQQY0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can't decide whether I should put bedding down or have them walk on wire. Thoughts?

Does tractor supply sell bedding and water holders and everything I might need? Anybody know a place in San Francisco by any chance?

Which direction should I have them facing to get the most light?

Is 3 females and 1 male a good amount to start with and for this cage?

It's a lot of questions so any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jedwards]

I think that cage's size is ok for 4 coturnix quail. I had mine walk on wire in the run and the coop was bedding with straw. Tractor supply will have everything you need if you don't mind spending the money. I'm not sure about local stores in SF or the direction to face the pen. That's a good amount to start with I started with 9, 3 males 6 females then slowly that turned into like 40 quail lol. I'm sure they won't disappoint you, I loved them

 

[dc3085]

Hi everyone! So I recently went to someone's house that raised quail and we ate their eggs. I ended up being so amazed at the idea of having my own supply of eggs and possibly meat in my backyard. I instantly started reading about it and have read so much on this site. So much good information!

I found a seller on Craigslist that is selling jumbo cortunix. I was thinking of getting 1 male and 3 females to start with next week and want to set up their house this weekend, but had a few questions:

What do you guys think of this cage? I would put some smaller wire up front.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HSQQY0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Perfect Edit to add: you'll need to pad the ceiling, when anything scares them, they shoot straight up, hit the ceiling and usually end up riding the short bus to the dinner plate after that.
I can't decide whether I should put bedding down or have them walk on wire. Thoughts?
Leave them over wire, they poop constantly you don't want to be cleaning their cage daily
Does tractor supply sell bedding and water holders and everything I might need? Anybody know a place in San Francisco by any chance?

South but they'll get too hot in the summer so make sure they are in a shaded, sunny area in summer. Right now they probably won't lay unless you put lights on them. Make sure to use full spectrum light that produces no heat. Never give them heat lamps. Even if you see them shiver. They are from climates with snow and sub zero temps, the bay is a cake walk by comparison.

Is 3 females and 1 male a good amount to start with and for this cage?

You can't really run less than that with coturnix or the roo starts breeding the hens to death they breed so aggressively. I'd recommend 1 roo and 4 hens in case you lose a hen in the future, your other girls wont get over worked.

It's a lot of questions so any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Tractor supply will probably have it but closest place to SF will either be an east bay feed store or Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel. HMB feed is the only place around the peninsula that carries purina gamebird food. They have a full selection of shavings and such just make sure you never use cedar shavings for birds, it'll roach their lungs.

 

[ilederman]

Wow I'm already feeling the sense of community. I actually posted an ad on craigslist asking for birds and I had someone in San Jose send me some pictures of his birds. He is a BYC member and mentioned that he saw my post! Awesome

 

[zayn]

i keep my five japanese quails one male:4 females in an indoor rabbit cage which ive filled with wood chips which works great