Outdoor Quail Cage

[Momto6kiddos]

I'm going to be starting to build housing for my quail this coming weekend. Problem is, I still haven't decided exactly what type of housing to build. There's a lot of information online but I thought I'd ask the lovely people here who have lots of quail experience.

So, what would you recommend the size enclosure be for a ratio of 5 females to 1 male?
I'm going to do a raised unit (We have lots of raccoons and possums). What are some suggestions you have that I can use to ensure my quail don't become dinner?
What are the best materials to use?

I've looked at quite a few blueprints but would love to hear what you all have done before I draw out my plans. Thanks!

 

[Nabiki]

This is 20 square feet for 8 birds.

 

[Momto6kiddos]

This is 20 square feet for 8 birds.
View attachment 2028629

Did you build those or buy them?

 

[Nabiki]

Did you build those or buy them?

Bought them. https://www.amazon.com/SummerHawk-R...ER6B87PEFDS&psc=1&refRID=EC64WDEHNER6B87PEFDS

 

[mdees88]

Racoons are a problem. I built my cages where the floor is 4ft off the ground. Problem is the coons would climb the wooden legs then reach their hand through the 1/2" hardware cloth floor and pull my quails legs off. I had no issues for almost a year though until they figured out they could reach up through the floor....

I would build it reasonably high off the ground then see how it goes. If you eventually have a problem maybe add an extra layer of bigger wire mesh 6" under the floor so they can't reach through to the floor....

I used 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth for the floor. It works but the galvanized finish was rough and it ended up scratching my quails feet which then got infected. Also with true Jumbos, some of their poop was too big to fall through (not an issue with regular size birds). I'm about to replace my floors with 5/8" PVC coated welded wire. I'm probably also going to try the 1/2" x 1" welded wire. Whatever you get make sure the finish on it is smooth...

Here's some ideas for cages....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-quail-pens.280575/

 

[Henry&Friends]

Racoons are a problem. I built my cages where the floor is 4ft off the ground. Problem is the coons would climb the wooden legs then reach their hand through the 1/2" hardware cloth floor and pull my quails legs off. I had no issues for almost a year though until they figured out they could reach up through the floor....

I would build it reasonably high off the ground then see how it goes. If you eventually have a problem maybe add an extra layer of bigger wire mesh 6" under the floor so they can't reach through to the floor....

I used 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth for the floor. It works but the galvanized finish was rough and it ended up scratching my quails feet which then got infected. Also with true Jumbos, some of their poop was too big to fall through (not an issue with regular size birds). I'm about to replace my floors with 5/8" PVC coated welded wire. I'm probably also going to try the 1/2" x 1" welded wire. Whatever you get make sure the finish on it is smooth...

Here's some ideas for cages....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-quail-pens.280575/

could you wrap some poly wire around the legs (maybe replace the wood with PVC pipe?) so that anything climbing up would get a good zap? And I’ve heard 1/4 inch HC stops anything from reaching in, although they can grab and rip it off... sorry, just bouncing ideas

 

[mdees88]

I thought about maybe adding the metal cones to the legs like you see on wood duck boxes to keep them from climbing up. 1/4" would stop anything from reaching in but if you made a false floor under the original floor with it the poop would just pile up on it....

Either preventing them from climbing the legs or putting electric fence around the leg posts are probably the best ways to go....

 

[mdees88]

Curious to hear what others are doing because I just ordered some eggs and I got to get my cages coon proof.... I haven't had any quail in over a year since I had the coon problem...

 

[Henry&Friends]

Curious to hear what others are doing because I just ordered some eggs and I got to get my cages coon proof.... I haven't had any quail in over a year since I had the coon problem...

How about a drawer/pull out tray with 1/2 HC overtop to allow for poop to fall through, and a bottom And sides of 1/4 HC? That way you could pull out and dump the poop tray, while still having a coon-proof cage.

 

[mdees88]

How about a drawer/pull out tray with 1/2 HC overtop to allow for poop to fall through, and a bottom And sides of 1/4 HC? That way you could pull out and dump the poop tray, while still having a coon-proof cage.

That would probably work and is similar to how I built my first cage (except I used 1/2" on sides and my pull out tray was a solid metal tray.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diy-quail-cage-1-0.1231344/
Problem is I much prefer the poop to just fall on the ground. It can pile up a long time before I have to do anything with it....