New Quail Pen in Progress

[Hens Solo]

The sides are 1"X1" The floor is 1/2"x1/2" my research says that it will contain a courtinix quail. It does make it more susceptible to some predators.

Here is my 2nd attempt at building a quail cage. Took 50% less time than the 1st and the total cost of both cages is less than $125.

 

[JurassicBawk]

Keeping quail in is not the problem. Keeping everything else out is a big problem. Rats will easily go through 1" wire. I've had rats chew through the small vent holes in my wooden rabbit hutches once they got the taste of quail and destroy them. I upgraded to a large 5 section custom built cage that has 1/4" hardwire mesh cloth all over, and just last week lost a quail to an owl that clung to the side of the cage and managed to snag a quail with it's talon and slice it up. I hate to say it, but 1" is going to let everything have access to your quail, and everything really likes the taste of quail.

 

[sealer39]

@Hens Solo
Those are nice hutches. I have been researching quail hutches and I keep coming back to this design. How are your hutches working out for you. Did you work off some designs w/dimensions or create it yourself?

 

[Hens Solo]

@Hens Solo
Those are nice hutches. I have been researching quail hutches and I keep coming back to this design. How are your hutches working out for you. Did you work off some designs w/dimensions or create it yourself?

I've got my 8 week old quail in them now. They seem to be working fine. The only change I would make is the pullout trays. Get metal or hard plastic if you can. The outdoor climate has degraded the oxboard even though they are painted. The external metal feeders don't work too well. Quail are messy birds that spill half of their feed. Having much better success with Sterile plastic containers with holes drilled in the sides. I got the designs off of youtube. Each unit is 2 ft deep and 37 inches wide.

 

[sealer39]

Thanks, that’s all good info.

 

[jnj3225]

Did you do any of these from plans?

 

[Hens Solo]

Did you do any of these from plans?

No, I'm a former industrial arts teacher and just get the basic dimensions off a very serious quail fellow on Youtube. Pens are about 72 " high by 24" deep and 37" wide. Each separate pen is about 12" high. I, now would recommend only 1/2" wire on sides and bottoms.(after losing some quail through the cage) I'm now building pen no. 4 but without the egg rollout trays. With 2 doors it is quite easy to access eggs. I use only recycled wood and try to keep pen costs under $50 each and buy the cheapest hinges and locks on ebay. Terry from Coturnix Corner is my major source.

 

[Hens Solo]

Here is my 2nd attempt at building a quail cage. Took 50% less time than the 1st and the total cost of both cages is less than $125.

Here are units 3 &4 They were considerably cheaper to build. Only one wide door per unit, no egg rollout trays, and all wood recycled. Costs for these 2 $38 for wire, $10 for hinges, $10 for latches. $3 for tops. All in all some cheap cages. Will try to fill with egg producing brown coturnix in a few months!