Outside or in?

[Susan Skylark]

They started in the laundry room, then took over the basement and are currently in the garage. I have a rabbit hutch outside ready and waiting but do I move them again? We’ve been gone a bit and will be gone again in a month. Is it worth the stress on the birds to move them outside and then back in again? We had a few cull males out there for a week and they seemed to enjoy being out but I don’t want to leave them out there when we are gone. It is also getting warm and the garage is a bit cooler. They get fresh air and natural light as well inside. I’ll also have to keep one bunch inside due to space anyway. I’m guessing it’s a personal preference thing but is there any really good management, biological or welfare reason to move them outside? They are on solid flooring either way, square footage is the same, we even let one pen ‘free range’ in the garage with the doors shut. We also live in an area with all sorts of interesting predators from skunks to weasels to dogs, foxes, and coyotes and cats. Thanks for any insight!

 

[Nabiki]

They produce a lot of dust. Keeping them indoors will show the dust buildup very quickly, and if you have any lung issues, you'll notice it. Even in my very large (20' x 70') greenhouse, the amount of dust is incredible.

If they are comfortable in the garage and you don't have to spend a lot of time in there, that sounds like it may be ideal for you with the number of predators that you have.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Haven’t noticed a ton of quail dust but they are on shavings and fling them around a ton. My garage isn’t exactly tidy and the wind (and kids and vehicles in the winter) drag in all sorts of dirt/sand etc so not a huge issue. Also the hutch isn’t very rain proof so it could get icky with our rare but intense thunderstorms.