Manual or Automatic?

[animal8]

Thank you so much for all the pics!!

I really like the idea of the plastic tote and I think I know of a place that does quite large ones for a very nice price as well

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
I would get the largest one I could find. One thing iv never had too big is a brooder... Bill

 

[animal8]

Quote:
I would get the largest one I could find. One thing iv never had too big is a brooder... Bill

I can see where that could come in handy

But I only want to have a small hatch to begin with, so I won't be looking for anything too large at this moment

 

[animal8]

Also, how possible would it be to keep adult quail in these containers? Of course, I would definitely have to have a larger one to make sure they all have enough space, but do you think it's do-able?

 

[Fat Daddy]

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Sure, I use them as isolation pens all the time. Get a mean witch and she needs some cool'n off in a brooder she goes... I raised 23 in 2 totes, in my house till they were 6 weeks old last winter... I changed alot of bedding and they were dusty and often stunk, but it worked. It was the dead of winter and didn't want to shock them till the weather warmed some but they did fine. I would use a large tote and keep the no's low. Less birds less poop... If in a garage or shop would be easier, the stink wouldn't be as bad. Bill

 

[animal8]

That's cool. I was thinkin about trying to find a glass tank that I could use to keep some in, but the ones that I found were more expensive than I could afford and still not big enough!!! So I was thinking I could have some of these set up and keep a few birds each in them, say in groups of 3 or 4. Would this be an ideal number? I can just use shaving as bedding and have the feeder and waterer in. I think shavings makes it easier to do part cleans (or at least its easier than hay or straw).

I was also planning on getting a couple of rabbit hutches, but I am not sure what sort of bedding would be good to use. I was thinking shavings in there and I could use a strip of board to help prevent it from being kicked out, but I am worried about the bedding getting wet in the rain (the hutches would be outside as I have no indoor space to keep them). I could rest a large board on the top of the hutch so it overhangs at the front and keeps some of the rain off, but I don't want to be blocking out too much light into the enclosure...what would you recommend?

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
I would say 4 birds would likely live together nicely, but the tote would need to be a large one for full time live'n... The glass tank would look cool but the cleaning would get old. When you get your totes get twice as many as you need. Lets say you want 2 totes with a quad in each... I would buy 4 totes, and set up 2 of the lids with hardware cloth. This way they can be brooders, and when its time to clean, you just add bedding to a clean tote. Slide the lid on it. Add birds and feeders and your free to carry the dirty one outside to hose down as you see fit. Less stress for the birds, easy for you, life is good. As for brooder or tote bedding, look at the equine pellets at TSC, I believe them to be easier and longer lasting than chips, Hay sux long term and chips will be all over your house. Plus they add to the stink.

The rabbit hutch deal is going to likely be the way you end up keeping quail. Its just so much less hassle. There is no reason to use any kind of bedding with a proper wire hutch type pen... 1\\2" hardware cloth floor is all you need till winter, then cover your pens. You will want a sand box in your hutch but other than that, just feeders and water set-ups. Its sounds plain but thats all you need. I have raised 100's of birds on wire this year. I only had one leg problem and I hit a standing bird with a feeder and broke its leg...Totally my fault and felt like a dog..... As far as roofs go, go to lowes or home depot and look at the plain ol roofing tin. Last time I was there they had it in 6' sheets and up, in store. They also had plastic that looked like tin only in colors.... this would cut easy. But just cheap plywood could be painted to make a fine roof and they would cut it for you in store for no charge if you just ask... Good Luck, Bill

 

[7L Farm]

Only thing I know about birds all of em. Give them space.