Is coup insulation necessary for quail raised in northern climates?

[TinderSnap]

I live in Minnesota, and last winter was perhaps the worst that I have seen in my life so far. So with that harsh weather still unfortunately fresh in my mind, I've been searching the forums for info on insulation for quail coups. Most of what I'm finding is for chickens, or has a lot of conflicting voices.

Can any quail raisers of the north give me some advice on whether it is necessary to insulate coups? If you do insulate, how do you do it?

I looked at some different types of insulation, and depending on what I use it could add another 200$ to my coup design! I'm sure some of you older and wiser quail enthusiasts know a better way.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It may be helpful to provide some details or photos of your current setup or intended design (not clear on whether you are building or have already built/have in use) - as there are so many variations that may or may not require further insulation depending on the current plan or existing structure.

 

[TinderSnap]

Oh of course! Sorry.

I have not yet build the structure. I am thinking of a 8 ft. by 10 ft. shed structure with an isle in the middle with cages on both sides with a connected out doors run/cage. Very similar to what this person has:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/280575/lightbox/post/12794711/id/6156487
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/280575/lightbox/post/12794711/id/6156486

(Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. We will see how zoning laws effect my plans

)

It would be located under a deciduous tree, so shaded in the summer with more sun in the winter.

 

[dc3085]

They don't need insulation just block the wind. They aren't bothered much by temperature as chilly winds. During the winter cover the coop with plastic sheeting to cut out the draft and they'll be fine. There are a bunch of members on here from Canada and many raise their birds outside year around. Keep in mind bobwhites are native to Minnesota and Wisconsin although people have destroyed their populations there.

Edited for sentence structure.

 

[TinderSnap]

dc3085, answering questions and being a boss. Thank you!

How do you cover it with plastic sheeting? I know that depends on the coup... just trying to get a good idea in my head what that might look like.

Would you be able to buy roles of plastic and staple them on the walls inside the coup?
Or do people generally use greenhouse-like plastic covers over the entire structure?

 

[dc3085]

I just use my construction stapler and staple it to the wood frames, but any stapler would work. On my plastic framed pens, I roll a long piece of thick copper wire that is shaped to the pen, then I poke holes in the plastic and zip tie the wire to the pen. Cover the holes you poke with duct tape if they start to tear.

 

[dc3085]

Make sure that you block the draft from below as well.

 

[member 129538]

I'm in Minnesota too and I've been researching this since I just hatched my first quail. We really did have a crazy winter! I'm opting to insulate because I have some panels laying around that aren't being used. That plus the plastic on the run (I'm not planning on doing wire cages). I don't heat because if the power goes out a quick temp drop like might kill them. My chickens did fine this past winter without supplemental heat. Are you in the twin cities by any chance?

 

[TinderSnap]

Thanks dc3085, that will really help me plan out my coup more exactly. Hopefully save me 200$!

Hey RandR, I agree, after a winter like our last one I want to cover all my bases. I really don't want to loose quail because I didn't prepare well enough for a winter that i /knew/ could be bad.

Maybe I can follow your example and try to find some cheep insulation. Maybe used?

Yeah, I'm trying to build my coup in Minneapolis. I went in to talk about permits yesterday, and man do I not like having to deal with the licensing people for this city. I told them I was raising quail and they told me all the rules for chickens, and apparently I can't keep my quail at normal 1 ft./bird density. All poultry must be at 2ft/bird (how can it possibly be ok to keep turkey at that density...)

It makes me worry that if they come to inspect my coup and find it designed for quail, they will feel like I'm not doing it right just because mine wont have roosts, nesting boxes, or a high ceiling.


Have you had any experience with raising poultry in the twin cities RandR?

 

[dc3085]

I highly doubt anyone will come out to inspect your coop. I live in Commieville USA and have a gamebird permit and fish and game only comes once a year, and they only come if I'm raising chukars, bobwhites, or pheasants. In most localities coturnix quail are exempt from regulation.