'Natural' quail habitat

[RosieR]

I’m new and have no experience to lend, but these garden examples are adorable! I think the main issue will be keeping everything clean and fresh smelling.

 

[The Phantom]

 

[Ladybird CA]

Greenhouse might be a good idea. 50f is 10c.

 

[Fishkeeper]

They won't use songbird perches, no, but they'll jump up and stand on things like tree stumps or logs if you offer them some.

 

[DK newbie]

Buttons can handle the Danish winter, so I suppose they can handle UK winters as well. But they have to be kept dry and sheltered from the wind, so you'd have to think that into your design. I'd probably cover at least half the enclosure with glass or something else, to make sure they have a big, dry area.
I'm actually considering doing something similar myself, but only for summer use, though I suppose it could be used in the winter as well. The idea was to put the offspring of my buttons in such enclosures, until they get sold. It'll probably not be this year I get it done though, so I'm not that far with my design ideas. But I think it's something along the lines of building a small greenhouse over a raised garden bed and making sure the house has small doors to minimize the risk of escapes.

With regards to numbers, I'm not a fan of keeping several pairs together - I'd split the cage in two it you want to do that. Keeping a male and several females together also hasn't been a complete success for me, but sometimes it works so it's worth a shot. I wouldn't do more than 3 females to a male.

 

[Emmaxx]

Buttons can handle the Danish winter, so I suppose they can handle UK winters as well. But they have to be kept dry and sheltered from the wind, so you'd have to think that into your design. I'd probably cover at least half the enclosure with glass or something else, to make sure they have a big, dry area.
I'm actually considering doing something similar myself, but only for summer use, though I suppose it could be used in the winter as well. The idea was to put the offspring of my buttons in such enclosures, until they get sold. It'll probably not be this year I get it done though, so I'm not that far with my design ideas. But I think it's something along the lines of building a small greenhouse over a raised garden bed and making sure the house has small doors to minimize the risk of escapes.

With regards to numbers, I'm not a fan of keeping several pairs together - I'd split the cage in two it you want to do that. Keeping a male and several females together also hasn't been a complete success for me, but sometimes it works so it's worth a shot. I wouldn't do more than 3 females to a male.

Thank you for your input. I was thinking maybe wooden nest box/coop I suppose, at one end, then maybe a greenhouse section, but open to the last section which would just be wire, then they could choose how far out they venture depending on temperatures. Tortoises are cold blooded so I've seen a lot of tables with a heating area incorporated, either somewhere safe for a heat lamp or mini greenhouse type thing, although I don't know if they are kept in there 24/7. Actually maybe a greenhouse with a nesting area within and regular shavings on the floor would be better as it would be easier to clean out if they ended up spending the majority of time there during cold spells. What do you guys think?
If I were to split pairs, but they were still housed right next to each other and could hear each other, would I actually prevent problem? I'm sure I read they need more distance between them, ideally out of ear shot. Unfortunately I don't have that as an option, my garden is only about 4m x 6m maybe. I am open to smaller areas of fewer birds if it would be safer, as it turns out a pre-made planter of the size I mention are hard to find or terribly expensive!

 

[Fishkeeper]

It's not hard to build a planter. I've done it myself with 0 building experience.

 

[Emmaxx]

It's not hard to build a planter. I've done it myself with 0 building experience.

That is the other option of course, and will probably come to that, not sure when I'll get the time at the moment though.
I believe I have seen a DIY forum here, might have to venture over there and see if I can get some tips on doing it, and as cheap as poss!

 

[DK newbie]

With regards to keeping the birds out of earshot of each other, that is probably for bachelor pads - you can usually house males together without too much trouble, but if there are females too close, they might start fighting.
If you were to keep two pairs of buttons next to each other, the pairs wouldn't start fighting among each other just because there is another pair next to them - but if they decide they like the one of opposite sex from the other pair better than the one you've put them with, I guess they might. If you only separate them by wire, they might also try to attack the other pair through the wire. I'd separate them by something they can't see through, that should be enough.

 

[Emmaxx]

Thank you DK, I remember that would have been what I read now you've said it! If each pair or trio was housed separately how much space would you recommend?