Finished my coop and got my first Coturnix!

[bryan8]

Well I finished my coop yesterday just in time for my 38 cot quail to move in!

Coop is 8ft x 3ft x 2ft high + the arched roof. Cost me around $50, I had most of the material laying around. The hardware (Carriage bolts and lags, hinges) and hardware cloth were the only expenses.

Only issue is it heavy! At least 250-300lbs, so its going to take a few people to load it into my truck bed when I bring it with me up to school in the fall.


I found a guy on craigslist with 42 coturnix quail he was selling, about 8-10 weeks old. Met him yesterday and picked up the quail. Got home and put them in there new home. I had to butcher 4 males to bring my number down to 38 as there was too many males for the hens. Still thinking about taking a few more out its about 1 male to 4 birds now if I remember correctly.

What do you guys think? I added the little hut today and the dust bath and they love them both. Not in the pictures but I added a bunch of branches and hay around the little wood hut to hopefully make them feel safe and lay in there.











Bryan

 

[buttonquailtx]

Very nice coop. Good luck with the new quail. Everything looks great.

 

[Quailsong]

Pretty little coop. Looks like the whole top is a single giant roofing shingle. Cool.

If I could suggest:

I would put a few more places for them to rest their hocks/feet, so they don't get too many issues with the wire. Another hidey hole would be nice, you could place it beside the current one or stack it on top w/ maybe a little step at the side. IF you have predators out there it may be good to put some chicken wire under the mesh (on the bottom of the support beams) so they can't sneakily crawl under & stick fingers in there to grab some legs. Won't kill them but could injure them.

If you want to save some space during the summer you could use a rabbit/gerbil waterer (the bottles w/ the metal nipple/BB) as quail can be easily trained to use them. Easier clean-up as you don't have to open the cage to get the water & keeps their feet out of it.

Lastly, wire mesh means they can't pick at the ground, which more quickly leads to boredom. Boredom often leads to fighting. I'd toss in bits of dried mowed grass here/there, maybe a few parrot/budgie toys (such as a mirror, bell, etc) to give them something to do.

 

[buttonquailtx]

Another suggestion. I would cover the north and east sides to give them a wind break during bad weather. It will also give them a place if you get any hard rain with winds. The reason I suggest the north and east side is because during cold fronts, those directions more often have cooler winds, and cold drafts are not good for birds. An alternative to this would be to keep a tarp you can cover the sides with during bad weather.

Also, I agree with water bottles or drinking nipples. It is easier to do most of their upkeep without having to open the cage, less stressful on the birds, too.

 

[bryan8]

Another suggestion. I would cover the north and east sides to give them a wind break during bad weather. It will also give them a place if you get any hard rain with winds. The reason I suggest the north and east side is because during cold fronts, those directions more often have cooler winds, and cold drafts are not good for birds. An alternative to this would be to keep a tarp you can cover the sides with during bad weather.

Also, I agree with water bottles or drinking nipples. It is easier to do most of their upkeep without having to open the cage, less stressful on the birds, too.

Thanks for the input everyone! Is it bad to interact with the birds? I spent most of today watching them, there very friendly!

Bryan

 

[Quailsong]

It's fine to sit there & watch today.^^

Give them a day or two to unwind before you go closer up & start handling them. Sitting back to watch is good as they'll get used to you & not see you as a threat. You can also talk gently so they get used to your voice.

In the following days, continue to talk to them gently, bring treats & they will begin to associate you with the yummies.

For health reasons, it's good to wash your hands before & after handling them. This helps protect you and the birds. Also, the more you handle them, the easier it will be to perform examinations (such as for lice/mites) and medical treatments if needed. Even as low as once a day treat feeding should be enough for them to remember you well.

Have fun with your quail!