Outside?

[Acameron]

We had our quail in our garage with a heat lamp. The heat lamp exploded so we brought them inside. They smell! We only have 4 females. Can I put them outside in our garden where we plan on putting them? I live in Northern Illinois and it can get pretty cold. They have a large rabbit hutch to live in with hay and dust box. Suggestions?

 

[Nabiki]

How old are they? Just how cold is it getting? If they're fully feathered they can handle pretty cold temperatures (at or below freezing) as long as they have shelter and are dry. If you can block off most of the drafts and give them some boxes to hide in they'll use their body heat to warm up the small spaces.

 

[Acameron]

They are 12 weeks and fully feathered. It's been in the 30s and high 20s.

 

[Nabiki]

They are 12 weeks and fully feathered. It's been in the 30s and high 20s.

I've had mine outside in those temperatures and they've been fine.

Edit: Before I got my first quail I did a bunch of research. One of the articles I read said that they can handle temperatures as low as 0 farenheit, but I haven't tested that and I'm not sure I want to.

 

[Acameron]

I see comments where people cover their pens. They have a hutch with one side sealed off. Will this be sufficient?

 

[Nabiki]

I see comments where people cover their pens. They have a hutch with one side sealed off. Will this be sufficient? View attachment 2042642

I would cover the mesh end with a tarp or something to keep the wind out.

 

[maadroj]

I don't have experience with this, but I've heard a wire bottom could be bad for them in very cold weather and should be convered with straw or other insulating layer. You mentioned they have hay, so just keep an eye on the depth of it to protect their feet from the cold wire.

 

[Nabiki]

I don't have experience with this, but I've heard a wire bottom could be bad for them in very cold weather and should be convered with straw or other insulating layer. You mentioned they have hay, so just keep an eye on the depth of it to protect their feet from the cold wire.

Yes, it's important that their feet can stay warm.

 

[Justso]

We had our quail in our garage with a heat lamp. The heat lamp exploded so we brought them inside. They smell! We only have 4 females. Can I put them outside in our garden where we plan on putting them? I live in Northern Illinois and it can get pretty cold. They have a large rabbit hutch to live in with hay and dust box. Suggestions?

Acameron, do you have a proper house and run to move them into? If so, they should be okay to move right in. As long as they're fully feathered they should be fine. if you're concerned about them getting cold, you can always add a box tipped on it's side for them to snuggle in at night when it gets cool. I doubt they're ready to hop up and roost yet. A rabbit hutch will keep them safe, and what you have pictured looks fine for now, but they'll out grow it before you know it.
Feel free to come over and join us on the Illinois thread under forum "where am I where are you".
Or follow this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/illinois.37/page-1224#post-22285411