Integrating Quail question

[Gravey]

We're new to raising quail or any birds from eggs. Our first batch of quail chicks hatched about 5 weeks ago. The heat lamps are off and I'm looking to put them outside in the quail pen. There are 15 in this batch and 15 existing adults. The pen is a 6X12 dog kennel with mesh netting and hardware cloth to keep them in. I was hoping to make a curtain of sorts and make a separate pen inside the main pen. Each will get their own water and food. Has anyone had success with something similar? Any success stories are welcome and needed. I'm also looking for suggestions for how long should they be separated. I have 30+ that are hatching now, those will also need a home. I have a second 10X10 kennel I plan to outfit to keep them all in for the winter, so integrating them now seems best.

 

[RosieR]

I think your idea should work. Are they coturnix quails?
My last batch I put into the freshly cleaned and reorganized aviary with the older birds and there was no problems. I think they were 4 weeks old at the time.
If you add one bird they tend to get picked on, but adding a bunch at a time spreads out any bullying.

 

[Gravey]

yes they are Coturnix quail. I may try reorganizing and raking the pen out. Good suggestion.

 

[lomine]

Are you planning on keeping all of them? In all the batches I have ever hatched I always have more males than females. It's about time for the hormones to be hitting your younger males. They will likely cause chaos fighting with each other, the older males, and harassing all the females. I suggest only integrating and keeping the females, maybe a couple new males if you have enough females.

What do you plan to do with the extra males?