Quail Coop

[Halfpasthen]

Please let me preface this by saying I know the hen house and nest boxes are not likely to be used. But it will make for good storage or confinement area.
I got this coop on clearance for under $100. I couldn't pass it up. The run which is the area that will get used is 18 sq ft. I hope to keep 6-8 coturnix in it as a trial run. If I think they are a good fit for us we will invest in a larger aviary style enclosure suitable to house more birds. Then we will use this one as a grow out or breeding enclosure.
I'm still in the process of burying hardware cloth. Tweaking some things. I'll also be adding small shelters and probably some form of tarp to cover the portion of run under the hen house so they can stay dry.
Any advice or encouragement is welcome!

 

[mixedUPturk]

welcome to quail! Looks and sounds like your doing a great job with a very smart approach! that coop is too cute and i think your plan is very reasonable! I am positive that it will lead to a good experience and i look forward to watching you grow!

Do you just want eggs or do you plan to eat a few birds?

Only caution is it doesnt look like theres an easy way to collect eggs laid under the house, may think about cutting a door into the wire. I have a similar prefab. I like it for just a pair of banty cochin hens but sadly its compleatly falling apart on yr 4. I still wouldnt have passed up the deal either keeping them dry will be important but you have that in mind so have fun!

Where do you plan to get them?

 

[Halfpasthen]

welcome to quail! Looks and sounds like your doing a great job with a very smart approach! that coop is too cute and i think your plan is very reasonable! I am positive that it will lead to a good experience and i look forward to watching you grow!

Do you just want eggs or do you plan to eat a few birds?

Only caution is it doesnt look like theres an easy way to collect eggs laid under the house, may think about cutting a door into the wire. I have a similar prefab. I like it for just a pair of banty cochin hens but sadly its compleatly falling apart on yr 4. I still wouldnt have passed up the deal either keeping them dry will be important but you have that in mind so have fun!

Where do you plan to get them?

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm a nervous expectant quail momma.

And you are very right about the egg collection! I do plan on removing the top part of the longer run section and reattaching with hinges and a latch. I haven't quite figured out the logistics of accessing under the hen house but hopefully I'll have that sorted soon.

We intend to mostly collect eggs this year but if they work out well then we will definitely start hatching more to eat.

I am getting two adults from a friend of a friend, and chicks from another man that hatch beginning of April.
I was having the HARDEST time finding a quail breeder in my area. Now I feel foolish. I don't know how it never came up during any of my searches but I live an hour away from James Marie Quail farm.
The quail (jumbo pharaoh and A&M)that I'm getting are actually all stock that came from James Marie.
So if/when I upgrade I'll be adding some fun colors.

 

[Acre4Me]

We had quail for about a year. Raised in our garage, under a window for natural light. The eggs are fun, the birds are sweet. Lay lots and start young.

We found we could not have 2 males in a cage, irregardless of size or number of females. We found 1male to 4-6 females was good. Maybe you’ll have better luck outside.

Quail walk, lay an egg, keep walking... so, they don’t use nests generally. Collecting will be more challenging outside, but the area you have isn’t so big.

@paneubert raised quail outside, might have some suggestions too.

Good luck!

 

[aart]

Will quail use a ramp?

 

[Acre4Me]

Will quail use a ramp?

No personal experience, but seems when we were researching a ramp like the one in pic is unlikely to be used. Quail are ground dwelling, and are not looking to go up to a safe space. However, when someone has a platform with a short/shallow ramp in the cage, the quail may use it. So OP's idea to use upper part for storage is a good idea.

In fact, quail will "flush" straight up when surprised/startled. In the OPs situation, they may find that the quail could hurt themselves as the run area might be within that "flush" zone, allowing the birds to get injured. Cant remember the specific measurements that are recommended....Pretty sure cage should be less than 18" high, but something like greater than 60" high to prevent injury/death due to this tendency to "flush" straight up. In this situation, I'd take a wait and see approach...might not be an issue.

 

[Halfpasthen]

We had quail for about a year. Raised in our garage, under a window for natural light. The eggs are fun, the birds are sweet. Lay lots and start young.

We found we could not have 2 males in a cage, irregardless of size or number of females. We found 1male to 4-6 females was good. Maybe you’ll have better luck outside.

Quail walk, lay an egg, keep walking... so, they don’t use nests generally. Collecting will be more challenging outside, but the area you have isn’t so big.

@paneubert raised quail outside, might have some suggestions too.

Good luck!

Right, extra males will be dispatched to the freezer. I don't want to deal with the stress of sqaubbling males. It would be different in a large room enclosure.

I'm looking forward to cute little eggs.

 

[Acre4Me]

Right, extra males will be dispatched to the freezer. I don't want to deal with the stress of sqaubbling males. It would be different in a large room enclosure.

I'm looking forward to cute little eggs.

Depending on how you like your eggs, we found some pickled egg recipes that were great (Cajun style was loved by all). Also, found that they could be quickly added and cooked under a broiler on top of a pizza - because they are small, they cook pretty quick.

 

[Halfpasthen]

No personal experience, but seems when we were researching a ramp like the one in pic is unlikely to be used. Quail are ground dwelling, and are not looking to go up to a safe space. However, when someone has a platform with a short/shallow ramp in the cage, the quail may use it. So OP's idea to use upper part for storage is a good idea.

In fact, quail will "flush" straight up when surprised/startled. In the OPs situation, they may find that the quail could hurt themselves as the run area might be within that "flush" zone, allowing the birds to get injured. Cant remember the specific measurements that are recommended....Pretty sure cage should be less than 18" high, but something like greater than 60" high to prevent injury/death due to this tendency to "flush" straight up. In this situation, I'd take a wait and see approach...might not be an issue.

I had read this! Like you said, I was going to wait and see. If I do find my little birdies are injuring myself I will figure something out either with padding or lowering the top somehow.

 

[aart]

So OP's idea to use upper part for storage is a good idea.

Oops.... read right past that part....