Quirky Quail Keeper

[igorsMistress]

Almost my entire supply of waterers and feeders is gone. A lot were given away when I didn’t have birds for a few months. Then they broke from sitting in the sun, or from being behind the shed in the snow. Whoops! My run collapsed in a storm, and took out a few then.
I’m down to a few big rubber bowls, and XXL plastic dog dishes. So, I’m thinking about what I can make. The chickens and ducks have feeders that hold about 20, and 175 pounds of feed. The bowls are all for water.
I have three each quart feeders and waterers. We all know how fast they get gross. If I can use a milk jug; it has a handle to avoid gross stuff, they cannot climb inside or get bedding in it, and it can be replaced weekly.

The milk jugs are the way to go then for sure BC. Easy to trim and free is always good.

I have quail in the freezer. We didn't leave them in the fridge they just went to the freezer. However I did read that they should go in the fridge over night to tenderize. Sorry but I can't find the link I just remember reading it.

 

[rjohns39]

Yup, it's best if you let the riggor pass before freezing chickens are generally 24-48 hours, so I would guess quail would be 12-24 hours.

 

[BullChick]

The coop is done as far as it’s livable. I need to find the roofing paper, but it’s covered. I’d also like to find some straw.
I’m still wondering if it’s okay that the ground is so wet at times, as long as they have a dry place to sleep.

 

[le_bwah]

The coop is done as far as it’s livable. I need to find the roofing paper, but it’s covered. I’d also like to find some straw.
I’m still wondering if it’s okay that the ground is so wet at times, as long as they have a dry place to sleep.

Do you have any chunkier organic material (e.g. wood chips) you can throw over the muddy bits?

 

[BullChick]

No, I don’t. If we get heavy rains when they are in there, I’ll convince them to go upstairs, and stay for a few days.

 

[BantyChooks]

The coop is done as far as it’s livable. I need to find the roofing paper, but it’s covered. I’d also like to find some straw.
I’m still wondering if it’s okay that the ground is so wet at times, as long as they have a dry place to sleep.

Mine never seemed to mind wet weather.

 

[igorsMistress]

I used straw in the coop yard to keep down dust and prevent mud, it needs to be a thick layer. Walk on it yourself to help compact it too so it's fairly flat for the quail to walk on, that would help for now. Wood chips do indeed improve the soil structure far better and help it to absorb more water. If you can get some before the straw breaks down you could add later.

Anything you have on hand during the year would help. Grass clippings, leaves, etc. Just like deep litter for chickens but on a smaller scale.

 

[BullChick]

Can quail free range, and actually be expected to return in the evening?

 

[le_bwah]

Can quail free range, and actually be expected to return in the evening?

Nope. I've seen one person do supervised free ranging successfully, but the method requires a surrogate chicken mother and she still has to return the quail herself. Best to give them a decent-sized cage with all the interesting bits inside it.

 

[BantyChooks]

Can quail free range, and actually be expected to return in the evening?

Nope. I've had them escape a few times. Twice they never returned at all. Once they returned after a week, clearly underweight and freezing cold.