Keeping quail in garden beds?

[quailswiss]

That sounds like a cool idea! I wish I had that kind of space! Make sure the quail don't get too hot, and no condensation on the underside of the plastic. I agree they seem to like dry dirt best. They don't scratch as much as chickens, but do manage to eat greens with their little beaks. Will you be adding kitchen scraps to the beds? And are you thinking of providing some kind of bedding, hay or dry leaves?

 

[GhislaineDel]

I've been thinking of doing the same thing, right down to having 4x8 beds! I've been debating if I want to build hoop or triangular tractors for the beds. My problem is lack of sunlight for garden beds so I don't tend to have one fallow. Maybe I should just build a set in the shade just to grow greens.

 

[Afamilieslove]

The only issue with keeping quail in garden beds is "gape" from eating earthworms that have a small parasitic worm larvae of their own, the larvae worm can grow in the trachea of the quail, once she has eaten the earthworm, and will slowly choke them to death, they literally "gape" or gasp for breath. That may be the only issue you find, if it seems to get too wet from their droppings add in some sand and shredded paper, both will help aerate your soil and lighten it up some. Best of luck, it seems like a good possible set up, though be certain all the birds have a good amount of head room, as they will startle and fly straight up, braiding themselves if it is too low a ceiling

 

[Poetshens]

I use a rubber fence that has a lot more give to help prevent that with my quail. Found it randomly on a shelf 50% off!!!

 

[Tegan]

I'm planning on using this stuff for the hoop houses: http://www.lowes.com/pd_157764-13113-090786_0__?productId=3457516

Yes, it's plastic. I know it's not predator proof. As of right now I don't have "ground" predators...didn't have them with the rabbits I had either. My yard is enclosed in 5 foot chain link and I have a large breed dog that loves to play the "go outside, come inside" game as much as he can (I would KILL for a dog door LOL). Aside from being a bit of a dork this dog is well trained and will NOT mess with any of my other animals. Wild animals loose in my yard is another story...though I need to have a talk with him about doing his job and keeping the rabbits out of my yard again...I'm starting to find more tracks then I care for...and I have one brave stinking rabbit that's coming up on the porch...shesh.

I figure it will give enough to keep them from braining themselves, and act as a bit of "cover" from prying eyes. And since the garden bed pens will only be a seasonal thing and I don't need to worry about them holding off snow, they should be easy enough to collapse at end of season and shouldn't get worn out too fast by setting up and taking down a bunch of times.