Quail "Coop" Question

[holiday hawk]

I recently began raising chickens, and am thinking about starting to raise quails as well; I'd like to keep them outside on the ground. My current idea is to create a pen that is 5x6x6. It would be that high so that I can walk into it. I'm trying to see what type of "coop(for lack of a better word)" they need inside it, but am not finding much. I've even seen some people make quail tractors without much of a permanent shelter inside of it. Do they need a "coop" as complex as chickens, or could I just make a simple shelter out of a few pieces of plywood so they could escape the sun on hotter days?

 

[eddie_van_quailen]

From what I understand, quail do not need (and usually will not use) most "coop"-type structures. At least not the same as chickens will (they do not roost at night). It can be helpful for them to have someplace to shelter from the wind/elements occasionally, so a small enclosed nest box-type thing might be nice, but is not required. It's best to make their shelter available in the form of logs, overturned plant pots, leaves, etc. I plan to put some rotted logs, branches, leaves, and plant pots in my aviary as their main sources of shelter, and will also include one enclosed "nest box"-type space in case they want to shelter from the wind, but I don't expect they will use it often.

ETA: This article has good info on coop/aviary design and quail habits/behavior

 

[Nabiki]

Just give them little shelters to hide in. These can be boxes, flower pots, pretty much anything.

 

[Whiskybear]

I use a wooden box with a hole just big enough for them and a hinged lid So I can clean it out.