Hello, all!
I'm hoping to start up a quail coop at my new house this summer. I'm already talking w/ a cot seller & will take on a half dozen chicks. I've raised chickens off/on when I was a kid/teen & so I'd like to say I know a bit more than a first-time newbie. However, I can see I've got gaps in my knowledge base, esp for quails. So I've got some questions for you:
1) I've read people talking about 'worming' their quails. I assume you're all referring to de-worming, which may involve needles, pills or some such. Could any of you elaborate on this, and how would it affect my own quails if I used them for just eggs, or even meat (I don't want to the meat to be inedible, but want the quails to stay healthy).
2) I'm aware protein is much more essential for quails so I'll be looking into feeds for game birds & supplementing what I can with home made or gathered foods (peanuts, insects, etc). Is there any lean-to type of protein you like to grab first when you don't have time, money or whatever; like a protein staple? (due to good shelf life or cheap?)
3) The brooder will probably end up w/ peat bottom for when the chicks are a bit older but what's best for them right from the start? I don't want splayed legs so I'm thinking industrial paper towels (blue types). Would you do anything differently?
4) I will be re-fitting an old shed into a greenhouse (2/3 size) and quail coop (1/3) w/ an enclosed outdoor run at least half the length of the shed. I'd like their pens off the ground at hip height, as I want to utilize the space under the pens for storage (thinking cupboards with pens on top).
How would you recommend an easy way for the quail to hop into the cages or do I suspect I'd have to grab every one of them at night? Any special tricks you would try to get them to a second level? (I'm okay w/ this not working, they will be tame for quails but even I'm not that silly to think they'll just walk in like chickens).
Note: I will be living in Canada where temps get to -30C/-22F on average in the winter w/ blizzards that can easily leave behind a few feet of snow. Summertime (30C/86F) I plan to let them stay outside in a large cage pen, but winter they will be kept in indoor pens (basically cages on shelves) w/ heat lamp(s) in the room. Any advice for this or is it alright?
5) I'm not up to date at all on medications & special feeds. I'd also like to put a emergency kit together before I need it. Could any of you point to a list of very essential kits I would need (specifically for quail), your own tips, or a website that has quail first aid kits?
6) I've heard of some folks trimming beaks & nails. Is this necessary for more outdoor quail, are there any special stones/wood I'd need for this? I've had a rabbit before so I understand the need for tough chew things.
7) Lastly...I hope to make the inside of the pens as natural as possible. I'd rather not go with a wire mesh bottom, so if any of you keep your quail on a bedding that stays fairly sanitary & natural then I'd love to hear what you're using. The pens may end up being bigger than most keep, for more hide & nest areas. Would peat work as well (like what I'd use for the brooders), or would that quickly get too messy?
Thank you all very much for your time.
I'm hoping to start up a quail coop at my new house this summer. I'm already talking w/ a cot seller & will take on a half dozen chicks. I've raised chickens off/on when I was a kid/teen & so I'd like to say I know a bit more than a first-time newbie. However, I can see I've got gaps in my knowledge base, esp for quails. So I've got some questions for you:
1) I've read people talking about 'worming' their quails. I assume you're all referring to de-worming, which may involve needles, pills or some such. Could any of you elaborate on this, and how would it affect my own quails if I used them for just eggs, or even meat (I don't want to the meat to be inedible, but want the quails to stay healthy).
2) I'm aware protein is much more essential for quails so I'll be looking into feeds for game birds & supplementing what I can with home made or gathered foods (peanuts, insects, etc). Is there any lean-to type of protein you like to grab first when you don't have time, money or whatever; like a protein staple? (due to good shelf life or cheap?)
3) The brooder will probably end up w/ peat bottom for when the chicks are a bit older but what's best for them right from the start? I don't want splayed legs so I'm thinking industrial paper towels (blue types). Would you do anything differently?
4) I will be re-fitting an old shed into a greenhouse (2/3 size) and quail coop (1/3) w/ an enclosed outdoor run at least half the length of the shed. I'd like their pens off the ground at hip height, as I want to utilize the space under the pens for storage (thinking cupboards with pens on top).
How would you recommend an easy way for the quail to hop into the cages or do I suspect I'd have to grab every one of them at night? Any special tricks you would try to get them to a second level? (I'm okay w/ this not working, they will be tame for quails but even I'm not that silly to think they'll just walk in like chickens).
Note: I will be living in Canada where temps get to -30C/-22F on average in the winter w/ blizzards that can easily leave behind a few feet of snow. Summertime (30C/86F) I plan to let them stay outside in a large cage pen, but winter they will be kept in indoor pens (basically cages on shelves) w/ heat lamp(s) in the room. Any advice for this or is it alright?
5) I'm not up to date at all on medications & special feeds. I'd also like to put a emergency kit together before I need it. Could any of you point to a list of very essential kits I would need (specifically for quail), your own tips, or a website that has quail first aid kits?
6) I've heard of some folks trimming beaks & nails. Is this necessary for more outdoor quail, are there any special stones/wood I'd need for this? I've had a rabbit before so I understand the need for tough chew things.
7) Lastly...I hope to make the inside of the pens as natural as possible. I'd rather not go with a wire mesh bottom, so if any of you keep your quail on a bedding that stays fairly sanitary & natural then I'd love to hear what you're using. The pens may end up being bigger than most keep, for more hide & nest areas. Would peat work as well (like what I'd use for the brooders), or would that quickly get too messy?
Thank you all very much for your time.
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