Finally got my quail, now I got some questions.

[BackYardQuail]

Also will I need to make the coop a bit lower cause it's 2 feet off the ground and it seems too high what do u guys/gals think? It has a ladder type plank for them to be able to go into the coop if that helps. I'm just worried they will never go in there... Just to be safe can I put them all in there at night? Safer in there than have them run around the aviary all night.

 

[James the Bald]

Thanks alot! Not trying to brag or anything, but I designed it myself. I have chicken wire all over it and play wood on the bottom of each wall about 1foot off the ground.. Will that keep coons and cats away of will I need to make the bottom 2 feet hardware cloth?

If a cat or raccoon is determined enough, they will eventually find a way through. Raccoon are excellent climbers (I have a photo of 4 of them climbing a 4" aluminum pole trying to reach a bird feeder 5' high). If they can get a hold of it, they will climb it.
James

 

[dc3085]

They don't hide from predators so if you think something can get at them lock them in the coop. I just put up some game cam pictures that show what they do when something is trying to eat them. Check out this thread.

They don't usually care to climb planks and such, some people get them to do it by putting their food up there so they have to climb the plank.

 

[BackYardQuail]

If a cat or raccoon is determined enough, they will eventually find a way through. Raccoon are excellent climbers (I have a photo of 4 of them climbing a 4" aluminum pole trying to reach a bird feeder 5' high). If they can get a hold of it, they will climb it.
James

Wow, but since quail don't really go on high things would the border around the aviary work? Since they don't climb on things, they will be on the ground if a coon climbs up onto the border he wont be able to reach them, so do you think it would still work?

They don't hide from predators so if you think something can get at them lock them in the coop. I just put up some game cam pictures that show what they do when something is trying to eat them. Check out this thread.

They don't usually care to climb planks and such, some people get them to do it by putting their food up there so they have to climb the plank.

Would you suggest putting them in the coop at night and putting their food there also just so they actually go in? Also, why do almost all my quails have bare backs? The first person that answered this question only had 2 quail but I have 13 and 10 of them have bare backs... I don't think they could be bare for the same reason his was. Maybe they can? Please explain. Thanks!

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

They could be molting, though I've never seen them lose that many feathers at once. It could also be mites or lice. My chickens just got over a small lice problem, and it ruined their back ends. I mentioned it could be from mating because that's what happened with mine, but really it could be any of these things.

You mentioned that the previous owner had about 50 quail of various ages in with them, right? The older ones could have torn out the feathers. It wouldn't hurt to check them for parasites just in case though. It's a little strange that almost all of them have that much feather loss.

 

[BackYardQuail]

They could be molting, though I've never seen them lose that many feathers at once. It could also be mites or lice. My chickens just got over a small lice problem, and it ruined their back ends. I mentioned it could be from mating because that's what happened with mine, but really it could be any of these things.

You mentioned that the previous owner had about 50 quail of various ages in with them, right? The older ones could have torn out the feathers. It wouldn't hurt to check them for parasites just in case though. It's a little strange that almost all of them have that much feather loss.

I fully agree, I have heard that fireplace ash or really any ash will kill all lice/mites on chickens.. Is it the same with quail?

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

I used poultry dust on my chickens. I'm not sure what would be best for quail. Hopefully someone else can help you there. Wood ash is supposed to help control it, and I know quail love dust baths, so go for it. Even if they don't have any parasites, they'll appreciate a dust bath anyway.

 

[BackYardQuail]

I used poultry dust on my chickens. I'm not sure what would be best for quail. Hopefully someone else can help you there. Wood ash is supposed to help control it, and I know quail love dust baths, so go for it. Even if they don't have any parasites, they'll appreciate a dust bath anyway.

Alright, I'm going to be moving them into their aviary tomorrow can't wait, can't keep them inside any longer they stink too much!