MamaBirds_Quail
Chirping
- Aug 25, 2022
- 89
- 202
- 86
Ha! Okay, so, our 10 quail have been in this DIY monstrosity for almost a month now and now ta actually going really well so, I thought I would share 
The footprint is the 3’x5.5’ sandbox area of my kids existing playscape for several reasons:
1. We weren’t using it anyway
2. It provided a solid framework to build on
3. There’s a covered treehouse above it so it’s protected from rain/snow while still getting some sun.
I used 2 sections of pine louvred bifold doors for the sides (slats are 1/4” spacing and stationary/glued) because while I wanted to promote air circulation, we have a coonhound, and various wildlife visitors inside the yard who I didn’t want to be overly tempted to try to get inside.
The top is 2x4s with 1x2” finish wood for the hinged door, and heavy duty hardware cloth. There is a buried layer of chicken wire tacked inside and across the whole floor to discourage burrowing predators whit allowing access to the grass/dirt.
All the wood elements were salvaged from discarded items and palettes, then given 2 coats of marine-grade water sealant so it can be completely hosed/scrubbed.
Space wise, they love it! They have been through two quick thunderstorms and because the base is 4x4” from the playscape (holding LOTS of weight) no water seeps underneath, nor does much rain fall inside, and the dog/wildlife seem to be leaving the pen entirely alone. The kids love being able to say hey, and the birds seem to appreciate that no scary faces pop up at eye level
I do have more materials and am toying with making a mini mobile tractor so they can have access to more of the yard… I’ve also been noodling using a mini greenhouse structure in my herb garden for their winter space… mostly because then I can run an extension cord for a water heater! Anyone done something like that?
Anyway, hope y’all enjoy my nearly-free, fly-by-my-seat, DIY quail coop
I’ll update as we go along if/when issues arise!
The footprint is the 3’x5.5’ sandbox area of my kids existing playscape for several reasons:
1. We weren’t using it anyway
2. It provided a solid framework to build on
3. There’s a covered treehouse above it so it’s protected from rain/snow while still getting some sun.
I used 2 sections of pine louvred bifold doors for the sides (slats are 1/4” spacing and stationary/glued) because while I wanted to promote air circulation, we have a coonhound, and various wildlife visitors inside the yard who I didn’t want to be overly tempted to try to get inside.
The top is 2x4s with 1x2” finish wood for the hinged door, and heavy duty hardware cloth. There is a buried layer of chicken wire tacked inside and across the whole floor to discourage burrowing predators whit allowing access to the grass/dirt.
All the wood elements were salvaged from discarded items and palettes, then given 2 coats of marine-grade water sealant so it can be completely hosed/scrubbed.
Space wise, they love it! They have been through two quick thunderstorms and because the base is 4x4” from the playscape (holding LOTS of weight) no water seeps underneath, nor does much rain fall inside, and the dog/wildlife seem to be leaving the pen entirely alone. The kids love being able to say hey, and the birds seem to appreciate that no scary faces pop up at eye level
I do have more materials and am toying with making a mini mobile tractor so they can have access to more of the yard… I’ve also been noodling using a mini greenhouse structure in my herb garden for their winter space… mostly because then I can run an extension cord for a water heater! Anyone done something like that?
Anyway, hope y’all enjoy my nearly-free, fly-by-my-seat, DIY quail coop
I’ll update as we go along if/when issues arise!
