Quail pens and behaviour

[lynn1961]

What is the best type of pens for quails ?
Do breeding pens need to be different ?
Do female quail hatch their own eggs out very well ?
Any pics would be great

 

[The Critter Place]

Quote:
Hi lynn,
What kind of quail are you interested in? It would help the others here to know that, so they can help you.

They type of pen you use will depend on what kind of quail and what results your hoping to get. Are you intersted in a few pets, raise them for meat? or what ?

No, quail do not hatch their own very well. It's rare a quail will nest or go broody.

 

[animal8]

Button hens, I think, are the most likely to go broody if kept in a pair. I have heard of Bobwhites going broody, but like lynn said, that is rare occurance. Most people keep coturnix in wire pens off the ground with a wire floor. The same can be used for bobwhites, but people also keep them on the floor. Buttons need a solid floor and less space per pair than other species. Otherwise, anything can a cage. I have heard of rabbit hutches being used for a few birds, and fish tanks (especially for buttons).

 

[lynn1961]

Quote:
Hi lynn,
What kind of quail are you interested in? It would help the others here to know that, so they can help you.

They type of pen you use will depend on what kind of quail and what results your hoping to get. Are you intersted in a few pets, raise them for meat? or what ?

No, quail do not hatch their own very well. It's rare a quail will nest or go broody.

Bob whites and the A&M were the ones I had interest in. There were some at the sale we went to last week, the only thing that kept me from buying them is that I know nothing of raising them, how to care for them.

 

[Chinchilla2]

Button quail have been known to brood and the occasional bobwhite. I've never seen a coturnix (the A&Ms or any of the other varieties) go broody but there is the rare exception. However, I wouldn't get your hopes up that any quail will decide to nest and get an incubator handy if you do go that route.

For buttons, a 10 gal fish tank or a cage made from 1/2" hardware cloth with a solid floor works well. With other quail, the 1/2 cloth for the floor and up to a 1x1 inch wire for the rest of the cage will work only then you have to watch closely for predators. I stick to 1/2 all the way around to save time.

Converted rabbit hutches are good for a few bobs or coturnix. I have a pair of bobs right now in 2ft x 6ft x 3ft tall pen (it's 2ft in the back and 3ft in the front due to sloping roof) and have a second one empty now waiting for the little ones to grow a bit more before moving them in permanently. That'll make it 10 birds per cage then I'll start trimming out to get a good male/female ratio.

 

[rittert3]

You might watch those auctions for quail pens if they sell equip. I see them now and then. Look up the GQF. Breeder pen they will look similar.