Putting coturnix quail outside questions

[StewedMammal]

Hello, I live in eastern Massachusetts and was wondering if my quail could go outside when they turn 3 weeks old? Or should I wait an extra week? It is in the 50s during the day here and high 30s to mid 40s at night. Thanks

 

[James the Bald]

Chicks can not generate their own body heat until they are 5 weeks old. If you put them outside tonight, they wouldn't survive the night.
I wish I had a better answer for you,
James

 

[Hope It]

I put mine out at 3 weeks old and it was in 20s and 30s overnight and 50s +/- during the day. They did just fine, but I had heat lamps available to them and they were completely shielded from the wind (back and side of the cage are closed in and I hung a think blanket over the front overnight).

So, to clarify, heat lamps are on 24/7, during the day - front is open, at night - blanket goes over the front.

I couldn't wait to get them out of the house because the last week inside (week 2 of their life) they got to be SO stinky and poop cleaning got realy old, so they had to go out. Since they went outside (heat lamp 24/7) - they started laying eggs at 5.5 weeks old; must be happy enough

 

[StruckBy]

Hope It, when did you turn off your heat lamp? I'm trying to decide if I can put mine out. They're 5 weeks & the same size as my adults, but still seem to prefer to sleep sprawled out under the heat lamp in the brooder at night.

 

[USAmma]

I live in the Phoenix area and I did move mine out to the garage because they were stinking the house up. I put a reptile heating pad under the enclosure and a non-heating light above. Lots of sawdust to burrow in. They did great.

 

[SamanthaLea]

I live in Boise, Idaho and I put mine outside at 3-4 weeks old. It's been 30-40s at night, 60s during the day. I only keep the heat lamp on them at night and they are happy campers. They are in an old rabbit hutch with 3 sides closed in. Good luck!

 

[Hope It]

I put mine outside at 3 weeks old (they were stinky and I was ready for them to move out of the house). I did put a heat lamp in the cage: my cage has walls on the back and sides, front is open (wire), but I hung a thick blanket over the front overnight and it kept them really toasty inside in 20s and 30s. Daytime (50s-60s) the blanket was off the front, but heat lamp was still on 24/7 for the first few weeks.

At this point (8 weeks old) they've been outside for some time and it's been pretty warm overnight (50s-60s), so the heat lamp came out about 2 weeks ago and they have just the regular light bulb. I do not cover up the front any longer unless it's an unusually cold night.

If yours are just coming out of the brooder, #StruckBy, then they will need to acclimate first because they've been in a draft-free warm environment thus far. I would suggest a heat lamp for a week (or two if it's still cold where you are) and cover them overnight and open them up for the day to get them used to the cooler environment and cool wind.

In general, you don't want quail in a drafty environment, so at least 1 corner of the pen should be boarded up to provide a hiding place from the elements. Each situation/place/pen is different, so maybe the best thing is to watch your quail: are they shivering and staying under the heat lamp? If so - keep it and give them additional shelter. If they are scattered, happy, sleeping away from the lamp - all good, take the heat lamp out and replace with a regular light bulb. Mine were scattered and pretty much not a single one was in the box directly under the heat lamp any longer and they were sleeping in boxes on the other side of the pen (not heated or lighted), so when I saw that - the heat lamp came out!

Hope this helps!

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

I put my last hatch (26 birds) outside in a partially enclosed brooder, cardboard bottom, with two 100w heat lamps when they were 1 1/2 weeks old. I am in Southern California and it was during a fairly cold (51 degree) evening their first three days outside. They all survived.
I think as long as there is a heat source and cuddle buddies they do okay in a warmer climate. But do what you feel comfortable with. I only move mine because I don't have a place in my house that can handle the stink.

 

[mdees88]

This guy makes some great videos on raising quail...

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

This guy makes some great videos on raising quail...

Slightly Rednecked? He’s great!