new to it all

[Leah S]

hi! i have been keeping chickens for a couple of years now, and completely in love with my girls. I have a grand idea to keep quail too. Was wondering what your thoughts on them are. Do you love them? Do they get along with chickens? any advice/ tips?

 

[Leah S]

also... how do they do in the cold? in ne and it can get cold, and hot here. any special considerations?

 

[TwoCrows]

You can not keep quail and chickens together. Quail need their own quarters away from the chickens. Quail do fine in the coldest of temps, but will need shelter during cold, snowy or raining seasons. Like any other poultry, they will need protection from the blazing sun and hot temps. No free ranging of quail.

 

[Leah S]

do you keep them in a coop, hutch all the time? how much space per bird?

 

[NovaAman]

research quail pens/runs. Some owners have these fantastic runs for their quail.

 

[SkyWarrior]

do you keep them in a coop, hutch all the time? how much space per bird?

Yes, we do. I don't have the specifics, but I think it's around a square foot per bird. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[TwoCrows]

do you keep them in a coop, hutch all the time? how much space per bird?

I keep my Bobs in a big aviary with a most natural environment I can give them....brush piles, shrubbery, potted grasses, dirt, grass hay, etc...Give them as much as you can in the way of room and atmosphere. They will be much happier in general. More space means less fighting.

You can keep them in pens, cages, aviaries, coops, flight pens...Just make sure everything is completely varmint proof.

Coturnix quail need only about 1 square foot of space per bird. Birds like Bobs, Gambel's, Valley Quail need about 3 or 4 square feet per bird. Again, more the better.