Housing question

[nao57]

Thumbs up on trying to better your life and your family's lives. This is why we're all doing it, to try and have empowerment when other things are failing or 'saving themselves first'.

I wish more people would be doing stuff like this and like what's going on in the site.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

OK, so I saw something and can't figure out where the link is, so I'm being rude and stealing their image. The description is "Each cage is designed of a plastic bin that comes with a matching lid, and a cut out front that is covered with a lattice wire panel. "

If I used those low under the bed bins, how hard would it be to install the wire on the sides and floor?

UGHHHHHH I can't find under the bed bins that are 8-13" tall. They're either 5-7" (too low to be humane) or too tall to keep them from breaking their necks.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

Just in case it's not clear, I *have* done my homework. I'm just trying to save money. Worst case, I'll buy ready made quail pens. I'd just rather spend my money on other stuff.... like getting my mother out of NYC.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

What about these? They're approximately 3 square feet, so they'd be big enough for a triad or a cozy quad.

https://www.wayfair.com/storage-org...s-tote-w002075113.html?piid=72883528,72883568

 

[Nabiki]

OK, so I saw something and can't figure out where the link is, so I'm being rude and stealing their image. The description is "Each cage is designed of a plastic bin that comes with a matching lid, and a cut out front that is covered with a lattice wire panel. "

View attachment 2111016

If I used those low under the bed bins, how hard would it be to install the wire on the sides and floor?

UGHHHHHH I can't find under the bed bins that are 8-13" tall. They're either 5-7" (too low to be humane) or too tall to keep them from breaking their necks.

Those would work well enough for a pair of button quail but aren't big enough for coturnix. The minimum amount of humane space for coturnix is 1 square foot/bird. You will hear people put more in a small space, but they are almost all commercial breeders. It sounds like you don't have the option to keep them on the ground, so something that would house a rabbit would probably be best for you. Remember when you're calculating square footage to subtract the space taken by feeders and waterers.

I keep mine in pens on the ground, either on the weeds during the summer or my fallow garden beds during the winter.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

Actually, if I'm just using a large enough bit, I could just drill a lot of holes in the sides and bottom, eliminating the need for attaching wire mesh. I'd leave the top intact to give shelter from rain, then I could stack them somewhere safe at bedtime. I'd need water/food on the inside, though, so a triad would probably be all that would fit.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

https://www.wayfair.com/storage-organization/pdp/hefty-66-qt-plastic-storage-tote-yxe1086.html

 

[Nabiki]

Actually, if I'm just using a large enough bit, I could just drill a lot of holes in the sides and bottom, eliminating the need for attaching wire mesh. I'd leave the top intact to give shelter from rain, then I could stack them somewhere safe at bedtime. I'd need water/food on the inside, though, so a triad would probably be all that would fit.

If it's about 3 square feet, your feed and water will probably take up about 1 square foot of that. That only leaves about 2 square feet for your birds.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

Those would work well enough for a pair of button quail but aren't big enough for coturnix. The minimum amount of humane space for coturnix is 1 square foot/bird. You will hear people put more in a small space, but they are almost all commercial breeders. It sounds like you don't have the option to keep them on the ground, so something that would house a rabbit would probably be best for you. Remember when you're calculating square footage to subtract the space taken by feeders and waterers.

I keep mine in pens on the ground, either on the weeds during the summer or my fallow garden beds during the winter.
View attachment 2111108

Yes, I know 1 square foot per person. I'm doing the math, see?

 

[LLRSandraMort]

If it's about 3 square feet, your feed and water will probably take up about 1 square foot of that. That only leaves about 2 square feet for your birds.

Why do I need such giant feeders/waterers for only 3 birds?