Keeping quail outdoors in winter?

[Dani xxx]

I had my quail outside all last winter it only get to about -5 c here in the uk but a lady on here has pics of her quail on her balcony in Montreal in -30 degrees c and there were fine just need protection from wind /drafts and rain they are really hardy birds

 

[BaJa]

Depends what kind of quail. Bobwhites are very hardy, and can even survive -40c. Corturnix could probably survive quite some cold, too. Don't leave them in one of those open wire cages. Just give them a couple hiding places in a larger pen. And, of course, the water will freeze pretty fast. They always need fresh drinking water. My bobwhites are always outside. There are about 20 in a 20ft x16ft flight pen. Here in Ontario, Canada temps easily drop to -30c. They are hardy. They like playing in the snow. I also have lots of hiding places and an enclosure in there to stay out of all wind and snow. HOPE THIS HELPS,

Barend

 

[jamonrider]

I had my quail outside all last winter it only get to about -5 c here in the uk but a lady on here has pics of her quail on her balcony in Montreal in -30 degrees c and there were fine just need protection from wind /drafts and rain they are really hardy birds

Could you point me out to this lady's user / post / photos?

I'm currently in Montreal and I would love to raise quail so I'd be interested in checking out her setup!

Thanks

 

[Tomqhill]

I live in a cold/snowy winter state. Can I keep my quail outdoors in an unheated garage in winter? Or must I find some way to move them indoors?

I am in southern Minnesota, I'm keeping mine outside, i setup a timed light and a heating to keep the water area above freezing. covered the exposed area of coop with plastic - to keep the drafts and wind out - so far are doing ok

 

[NY Coturnix]

When you guys say that too much light makes them go crazy, I've read that other places myself, are you talking white lights or a heat lamp. I currently have white Christmas lights in my pens that I typically leave on until around 9 PM or so before turning off for the night. I also have the red heat/brooder lamps that I've attached under the pens that I turn on when it gets below freezing. This helps keep the water from freezing and adds some heat from below. Anyway the pen bottom is partial wire so does the red light coming from below continue "light". I was thinking the red light wouldn't be a problem. They seem to go into sleep mode as soon as I turn off the the white lights.