My quail

[Cris1313]

My quails

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Is that where they live 24/7? :'(

 

[Cris1313]

No I just got them they will be switched in a week

 

[MDBird]

Is that where they live 24/7? :'(

What issues are you seeing with this setup?

 

[Nabiki]

What issues are you seeing with this setup?

It's small, there are no hiding places for them, no dirt bath for them, just to name a few.

 

[MDBird]

I guess just different perspectives. I see a box they put straw in that can hold dirt/sand too and a cage that has enough room for the couple of birds to move around. It's inside and has bedding for the birds instead of wire. Along with clean food and water. Plus I don't see any birds banged up.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

I guess just different perspectives. I see a box they put straw in that can hold dirt/sand too and a cage that has enough room for the couple of birds to move around. It's inside and has bedding for the birds instead of wire. Along with clean food and water. Plus I don't see any birds banged up.

I've always been under the impression that Coturnix Quail required 2-3sqft of space per bird, I have a few of those cages that I've used for chicks or for an extra carrier, they're not very big. I mean if you were just going to raise them for 8 weeks for slaughter I could maybe see one of these cages but for pets or egg production I don't feel like it should be a primary housing :'(

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

No I just got them they will be switched in a week

Congrats on the new quail : D you've got a really fun collection of colors in there!!

 

[Quailguy728]

I've always been under the impression that Coturnix Quail required 2-3sqft of space per bird, I have a few of those cages that I've used for chicks or for an extra carrier, they're not very big. I mean if you were just going to raise them for 8 weeks for slaughter I could maybe see one of these cages but for pets or egg production I don't feel like it should be a primary housing :'(

It really depends on a lot of factors. 2-3 sqft of room per bird is more for chickens. Its been my understanding that quail can be adequately housed in enclosures that provide at ABSOLUTE minimum 8inches per bird (This generally is for raising to 8 weeks before butchering or if you have a small flock that gets along VERY well) Minimum i provide my birds is usually about 1sqft.

I personally see no problem with the pictured enclosure. It looks quite comfortable for quail. However, when I used enclosures that small, I would always give them 4-6 hours outside in an open bottomed quail-tractor. I'd say if you're looking to keep them permanently in an enclosure that size; Something a bit bigger would be better. If they all get along well, and you don't have any bullies, that could be okay. I would flip that box over and cut a door so they have somewhere to run and hide if they need. And as mentioned, a small dish for a dust bath would make a big difference for them. I always found if you don't give them sand to bathe in, they'll just do it in the food and make a big mess. (and poop in it! Eww!) lol

 

[NY Coturnix]

It really depends on a lot of factors. 2-3 sqft of room per bird is more for chickens. Its been my understanding that quail can be adequately housed in enclosures that provide at ABSOLUTE minimum 8inches per bird (This generally is for raising to 8 weeks before butchering or if you have a small flock that gets along VERY well) Minimum i provide my birds is usually about 1sqft.

I personally see no problem with the pictured enclosure. It looks quite comfortable for quail. However, when I used enclosures that small, I would always give them 4-6 hours outside in an open bottomed quail-tractor. I'd say if you're looking to keep them permanently in an enclosure that size; Something a bit bigger would be better. If they all get along well, and you don't have any bullies, that could be okay. I would flip that box over and cut a door so they have somewhere to run and hide if they need. And as mentioned, a small dish for a dust bath would make a big difference for them. I always found if you don't give them sand to bathe in, they'll just do it in the food and make a big mess. (and poop in it! Eww!) lol

This pen looks fine to me as well. I would add and have read that 1 sq foot per bird(at least) is more best.