Indoor Button Quail Coop

[BirbMom]

Okay I'm super proud of myself. I built an entire coop from scratch. I think it turned out AMAZING. Really wanted to share with other people who would appreciate it.

 

[Serin]

I am seeing some pretty big problems with this set up; the television will severely stress those birds living directly under it, and it looks very dark inside. The bedding tray is very low and you will be constantly dealing with spilled wood shavings, and without a pull tray, and with only such large doors, cleaning will be difficult and escapes very likely.

 

[katiebrock]

It looks great! It feels so good to build something yourself!

 

[aart]

Nice build...and shop.
I wouldn't want birds living in my house tho. BTDT.

 

[BirbMom]

I am seeing some pretty big problems with this set up; the television will severely stress those birds living directly under it, and it looks very dark inside. The bedding tray is very low and you will be constantly dealing with spilled wood shavings, and without a pull tray, and with only such large doors, cleaning will be difficult and escapes very likely.

We have surround sound external speakers, so no more stressful than just living in the living room which they have been for quite a while and seem fine. I'm already aware of the darkness and have added an adjustable LED strip. The bedding tray has about 4 inches to the lip of the doors. The only issue with bedding spilling is when they flap their wings and pretty much nothing but a solid front would fix that. Cleaning is actually super easy, I have a divider that keeps them sequestered on one side of the cage while I clean the other. I have had fewer escapes with this cage then the old rodent cage I had them in prior. They have so much room that they happily just run to the other side while I grab eggs, food, water, etc. I've read about signs to watch for with stressed buttons and they aren't showing a single one. In fact they are calmer now than they ever have been in the past.

 

[BirbMom]

Nice build...and shop.
I wouldn't want birds living in my house tho. BTDT.

Thanks!

The button quail pretty much have to be indoors where I live. So long as I keep the cage clean (and with this big one that hasn't been an issue) they don't really smell at all.

 

[aart]

The button quail pretty much have to be indoors where I live. So long as I keep the cage clean (and with this big one that hasn't been an issue) they don't really smell at all.

Why?

Had other birds in house long ago, got tired of cleaning up the dust and everything else.
Same with chicks, I now brood in coop a week after hatch.

 

[BirbMom]

Why?

Had other birds in house long ago, got tired of cleaning up the dust and everything else.
Same with chicks, I now brood in coop a week after hatch.

They are super sensitive to temp and weather. Also very small and an excellent snack for basically anything. I probably could keep them outside with a fancy enough setup, but with just the three (plus the pure entertainment value) they aren't that bad indoors.

Though I've also kept indoor rodents (don't have any at the moment) and ANYTHING is easier than that. I loved my ratties, but they were hellions that smelled and caused the biggest messes.

 

[2 many chickens]

Why?

Had other birds in house long ago, got tired of cleaning up the dust and everything else.
Same with chicks, I now brood in coop a week after hatch.

Button quail don't do well in colder temperatures. They're not like chickens,etc.
I have several in my home, I keep them outside in the summer but come fall, back in they come.

 

[quailbird]

When I build my home soon (not large about 800sf) I plan to literally attach a natural area, like part of the porch, but reserved for the quail. Literally walk in, hang out with them. There will be dirt, mossy grasses, lighting, venting, etc.