Hutch, Ground or Tractor?

[Nabiki]

Could you send more pics of your ground pens?

I'll take some when it gets light out. I have two of these. They're pretty sturdy and easy to move.

 

[Nabiki]

Here's another picture from this summer.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Here are two we've built recently to house pairs of japs, yes I keep some of mine in pairs which is not always recommended but I've never had any issues with them and they actually bond really well.

This one was built out of a small greenhouse frame and has two quails in it. I've put a cover over it because it is really hot here so sorry if it's hard to see inside.

This one was built out of an old dog kennel someone was throwing away. It is technically a raised cage but still works well and the quails like it.

I keep some of my quails on the floor of my aviaries too and have one pair at the moment in a double story rabbit hutch.

 

[le_bwah]

I raise Coturnix as pets and for eggs. Raising them battery cage style never sat right with me, so I built an aviary.

Aside from the must-haves like dirt baths, they appreciate access to ground substrate and low-lying cover like grasses or small boxes. I think it makes them more resistant to crowding and other stressors.

Having no males helps too .

They benefit from access to the tasty invertebrates that come with living on the ground. Coming up on two years, no problem with parasites yet.

 

[Quailobsessed]

I raise Coturnix as pets and for eggs. Raising them battery cage style never sat right with me, so I built an aviary.

View attachment 1991673

Aside from the must-haves like dirt baths, they appreciate access to ground substrate and low-lying cover like grasses or small boxes. I think it makes them more resistant to crowding and other stressors.

View attachment 1991679

Having no males helps too .

View attachment 1991678

They benefit from access to the tasty invertebrates that come with living on the ground. Coming up on two years, no problem with parasites yet.

You have a lovely setup there. I too keep mine as pets. I've ended up with more males than I had intended to have so I've had to build more enclosures for them as I won't cull them and if I get rid of them, someone else will cull them. I try to give mine as much space as I can as I don't like the idea of a battery setup either. I make sure mine all have have a solid ground under their feet and dirt to dust bathe in. I give them straw and nests to lay their eggs in and they seem pretty happy.

I really love your setup and appreciate that you want to do the best for your birds and not just give them the bare minimum space they need. What type of grass is growing in there? I'd love ideas on how I can make my enclosures better and more exciting for them.

 

[le_bwah]

You have a lovely setup there. I too keep mine as pets. I've ended up with more males than I had intended to have so I've had to build more enclosures for them as I won't cull them and if I get rid of them, someone else will cull them. I try to give mine as much space as I can as I don't like the idea of a battery setup either. I make sure mine all have have a solid ground under their feet and dirt to dust bathe in. I give them straw and nests to lay their eggs in and they seem pretty happy.

I really love your setup and appreciate that you want to do the best for your birds and not just give them the bare minimum space they need. What type of grass is growing in there? I'd love ideas on how I can make my enclosures better and more exciting for them.

Your setup looks solid. Glad to see people resolving to raise quail on solid ground.

I've got a few varieties of muhly grass in there now. They LOVED it when it was at its bushiest and preferred to lay under the grasses most of the time. They really like hiding and resting in the basket huts, which are just wicker wastebaskets with holes cut in them. The bark and logs are things I "borrowed" from the local woods.

Number one thing I think about when I change up their cage is breaking line of sight. They start doing odd things when presented with simple obstacles—different hens will consistently choose to go over vs. under vs. around. I think the ability to make these sorts of little choices contributes to keeping them happy and active.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Your setup looks solid. Glad to see people resolving to raise quail on solid ground.

I've got a few varieties of muhly grass in there now. They LOVED it when it was at its bushiest and preferred to lay under the grasses most of the time. They really like hiding and resting in the basket huts, which are just wicker wastebaskets with holes cut in them. The bark and logs are things I "borrowed" from the local woods.

Number one thing I think about when I change up their cage is breaking line of sight. They start doing odd things when presented with simple obstacles—different hens will consistently choose to go over vs. under vs. around. I think the ability to make these sorts of little choices contributes to keeping them happy and active.

Wow, that's cool, thanks!

I just love seeing people with creative ways to care for their birds. You must have the happiest quails.