Quail and shelter?

[Tikkajazz94]

I Think I will Make a design for one, Keep my eye on kijiji, My friend got a Rabbit hutch for free on there.

So 1 quail is a sq. foot each? So Is it Best to make a Hutch a breeding Area? or just grouped together?

 

[saddina]

Here's a unit of mine (hold 1 male 5 hens).

I built a base, that these sit upon, basically a bookshelf. the cages sit on thier shelf, with newspaper under. I treat it like a birdcage and just change the paper. Size is 1ft tall, 3 ft long and 2 ft wide (6sq ft total. The book case is a smidge longer each shelf. Since i'm only 5ft, i tacked 2 hight (the doors swing up, many make them swing out, but i can't reach in 3 feet, arms too short). The box area is 1 ft wide and 2 feet deep, eggs are laid in there.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Mm. Ok. could I add legs to it?

 

[saddina]

Sure,. i use the shelves so i can stack 2 high (I put small 1 inch "heels" on the corners to slide the papers in/out). Mine sit on a small patio, under a !0X12 awning to keep out of the desert heat.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

So do you use that for dual purpose use or breeding pen? How much did it cost?

 

[saddina]

The plywood and sealer was left over from building the coop, 1 piece of plywood can make 4-5 if your cuts are frugal about $2.50 per cage. the rectangle box is 2X2's, 2.5 per cage, about $2 there. The hardware cloth is 2 ft wide X20 ft long, you'll need a smidge over 6 feet long, maybe $10 in that. few hinges, $2, the rest is stuff in the garage, screws and such.

So 18-20 per unit.

 

[saddina]

it's a colony pen, 1 male 5 hens live there year round (if you trfy to rearrange quail for any reason they'll stop laying.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Ah. Okay thanks

 

[swheat]

I made this one for under $100. It is a double decker and 3' X 8' X 5' tall. I made 2 of them so far for baby chickens. I am thinking of building them for quail also and use 1/2'' wire mesh for the front and am going to ponder the idea of egg rollouts. Not really hard to build. I did already have the tubs(poop pans) from when I was raising snakes so I didn't have to buy them and also the 1x1 wire on the front.

 

[Tikkajazz94]

what about Getting one of these and adding a wooden box to it for a shelter?