Quails and chickens

[Stephanie8806]

Okay I know this can be a heated topic, so don’t jump down my throat about it... please read my question before assuming what I’m asking!

I’m planning on raising chickens and Quail on our micro farm. Rural environment, just under an acre of total property. I have a designated area where I plan to raise my poultry, just working this year to finalize some landscaping and really prepare the space. We have no birds yet. THAT BEING SAID:

I am planning to build a partially roofed but fully enclosed bird run, with two separate coops inside. One for chickens, one for quail. The run could be used for the birds, but we also are planning to allow the chickens to free range on the rest of our property during the day. From what I have read about keeping chickens and quail in close quarters, most of the concern for the quail seems to stem from disease and attack from the chickens.

Our plan is to house the chickens and quail separately, but still allow the quail ground time in the run while the chickens are not using. Therefore, the quail shouldn’t come into direct contact with chickens. Does this sound like a safe plan?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depending on the layout of your property, you likely have space for separate zones on opposite sides of the property. One for chickens and another for quail. There's no reason they have to occupy the same space. You can use all the space between for vegetable and fruit gardens.

 

[Stephanie8806]

Depending on the layout of your property, you likely have space for separate zones on opposite sides of the property. One for chickens and another for quail.

The problem is, although we have about 1 acre total, only a third to half an acre is useable. Our back half an acre or so is heavily treed and drops of at about a 45 degree angle. So in this half an acre, we already have to fit actual clear yard space(more of a want than a need), garden boxes, fruit, our patio, a greenhouse, and a wood shed. Our poultry coop/run will be approximately 12x25.

 

[Stephanie8806]

There's no reason they have to occupy the same space.

Im not entirely opposed to trying to build a quail enclosure that has ground access on our back hill, but it would be much harder to protect it from predators and weather. I live in Northwest Washington State, and we have a LOT of coyotes, raccoons, etc... not to mention a lot of rain and wind.

The space I have planned currently is in a nice, level, well protected/easily protectable corner of our property.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Predators are always a problem. However, there is no need for the buildings and birds to need flat ground. A slope would be good use of the land for poultry.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have both quail and chickens on 1/5 acre. My chickens free range in our backyard, the quail have an aviary. Small birds, finches and sparrows, can get in with the quail and they're all over the backyard. Our quail don't go out with the chickens, but they're surrounded.

So far we haven't had any issues. I'm not advocating anything, but I'm not saying don't do it either. Your birds, your risk, your decision. Just do your homework and know what your risks are so you can be prepared.

 

[Stephanie8806]

I appreciate both of your responses! I guess my biggest question/concern is disease transfer. If the birds are simply using the same run space, but at separate times, and don’t come into actual contact, is disease still a risk? Or, as high of a risk? I know quail can be perfectly happy in an aviary or hutch type of setup, but I think animals are happiest in environments closer to natural(aka room to roam/ground contact).

I guess my point is, Im not going to be building separate runs. I just need to know if I need to have the quail ground space free from chicken “contamination”... in which case I would fence off a smaller portion that just the quail would be able to access. And, worst case scenario, I can always skip quail and just raise chickens.

I know, this is a frustrating topic because to seems to come down to opinion, as people seem to have failure or success both ways. I appreciate the dialogue!!!!

 

[Stephanie8806]

Predators are always a problem.

I expect them to be. In the space I have designated for poultry, I feel very confident in my plans to eliminate predator access(aka a “fox in the henhouse” scenario).

 

[igorsMistress]

There will be a greater risk if they share the space. They'll poop and peck, shed dander, etc.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I appreciate both of your responses! I guess my biggest question/concern is disease transfer. If the birds are simply using the same run space, but at separate times, and don’t come into actual contact, is disease still a risk? Or, as high of a risk? I know quail can be perfectly happy in an aviary or hutch type of setup, but I think animals are happiest in environments closer to natural(aka room to roam/ground contact).
I know, this is a frustrating topic because to seems to come down to opinion, as people seem to have failure or success both ways. I appreciate the dialogue!!!!

Your risk will be higher than if you kept them spaced farther apart or only kept one type, and lower than keeping them literally comingling. Can't tell you whether that risk will pan out. Don't invest money in the quail to start (they are the ones likely to succumb) and properly QT everyone. I have lots of expensive-*** quail and when I have a property where I can also have chickens someday they will be in separate buildings (and all the chickens vaccinated for whatever I can. Quail maybe too, but dosing in that scenario is still kind of up in the air), just because it would be a major financial and time investment loss for anything to happen to them.