I am completely new to quail keeping and want to be readily prepared for when I get them in March. I have a 8 foot by 15 foot and 8 foot high chicken coop that I would love them to live in but still need to build them a house. Some questions I have are: How big should it be for around 10-15 quail? Should it be low to the ground, on the ground or high? What should the flooring be like? What would be the best bedding? Also, what would be the best breed for southern oregon? Thanks!
Other than Button Quail, most breeds of quail will do just fine in southern Oregon and can adapt to any climate very hot or brutally cold. Coturnix Quail are a good beginners quail as they are very easy to raise and keep, start laying early in life, they are good egg layers and are friendly around humans. They come in many colors as well. Coturnix are kept in colonies of one male to 6 or 7 females. Normally they can be kept in a space of 1 square foot per bird, however would most definitely enjoy more room. So the more you can spare them, the better mentally and physically they will do. If you are building them a pen inside the chicken coop, then build it to what is comfortable for you to keep and clean. So any height off the floor will do. Quail do not need perches to roost on, although they will climb on them for entertainment and the also do not lay in nest boxes. But they do appreciate a cut branch from a tree propped in the corner for privacy and security. Put in a small shallow pan of dirt or sand for dust bathing. You can go with a wire floor, or a solid floor with some sort of bedding. Wood shavings, sand or grass hay works well for bedding. They require gamebird food of 24% to 28% protein. They love the treats....greens, veggies like peas in the pod, corn, quartered apples or peaches, dried fruits and raisins, berries, mealworms, etc...Offer crushed oystershell on the side for the layers. (Quail are seasonal layers and generally lay from spring thru fall.) Keep them wormed once or twice a year for good health. Oh, and welcome to BYC and the quail forums!
Thank you so much! Right now I am constructing a fairly large pen now about seven feet by two feet by four with a wire floor. Hoping it all works out.... I am leaning to either coturnix or california. Thanks again!
Let me know if you decide on coturnix, I also live in southern Oregon and could set you up with eggs or chicks if you need.
Eeeeeek! I'm going to be getting some this May. I hope they'll adapt well to the extreme cold of Northern Canada! Lol
In Canada you will need to provide a heat source and block out the draft. Raised in a garage with a heat lamp or similar and outside temp wouldn't matter too much.
