Valley quail

[Fat Daddy]

Hey all,
Got a friend, Daren, that ended up with some valley quail. We get cold as a witches mammary here in the winter. These gonna be OK in the Kansas winters? I know they need to be protected from the wind, rain and snow. But the -20 to -30 wind chills on -10 to -15 nights is kinda spooky when we're talkin a bird more at home in California.... Whatch think? Bill

 

[thekid]

I would probably get a couple of heat lamps, and in the winter board off the pen. Well so atleast they can stay dry. And the auto water heater just for fun

 

[TheRealTimShady]

yea, i'm with kid on this one, i'd get at least one heat lamp, set it up on a timer so it turns on at night, and off in the morning, if it was me i'd put it in the closed part of the coop(if your friend has a coop like that) and if not, i'd just put it in the corner, the quails would cozy up to it at night if they have to

other then that, it might be rough, as you said, they are desert quails, but with a heatlamp and proper coverings to keep dry mainly, it MIGHT be ok.....

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote:
Bill, I think they will be ok. Our winters frequently get down below freezing during January and February at night. And while the coldest my birds have stood is -23, a temp of -10 can be common around here. I have found with my Bobwhites, below zero, they need heat lamps. This type of cold will kill younger, weaker or older birds. So as long as their shelter is absolutely draft and moisture free, and that also means no open floors, with the addition of heat lamps, I think the birds will be fine. They will also need bedding on the floor as birds loose heat thru their feet. So shavings, straw or hay is important.

Edit to add: My local quail breeder, who lives just up the road from me raises thousands of Valley Quail each year and he has never lost one to our cold.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

twocrow, sounds like he'll be ok

 

[tweetyflights]

They'll be fine, as they do live up here in canada as well.

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
Well Bill, my friend, I don't know which is worse.........your -30 wind chills, or our 115 heat index

............... However, If'n it were me, I'd first set walls to block the wind, then set up brooder lamps with 250 watt heat lamps with this gadget in the circuit so the lamps won't have to be maintained when the temps rise..... http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-25504
Other than that, God bless y'all this winter ....

 

[callducklover20]

Dang he could of just asked me-they live all over Northern California were it snows and is cold-real cold not what others think of Cali and feet of snow. We are planning on putting greenhouse plastic over most of the more sensitive pens so they will be fine. So exciting I finally got some of these-yes I claimed them they are mine

been trying to get some for 2 years!!

 

[callducklover20]

oh yeah they are both males so I need some girls!!

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
Well Bill, my friend, I don't know which is worse.........your -30 wind chills, or our 115 heat index

............... However, If'n it were me, I'd first set walls to block the wind, then set up brooder lamps with 250 watt heat lamps with this gadget in the circuit so the lamps won't have to be maintained when the temps rise..... http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-25504
Other than that, God bless y'all this winter ....

Thanks for the link Randall, sounds like we'll be alright, when the snow flies and the wind picks up , its time to burr in like a Georgia tick and just hang on till spring!!

Ever fix a water leak on a main ya cant turn off at -2 actual temp? Thats the coldest one I ever worked hot... ya cant let go of metal tools till ya put your hand under water... my beard freezes hard about 1\\2" thick. Aint real wet till ya get in the truck and thaw. Dont happen alot but sucks when it does ...

Summer heat is hard on a fat man, and I hate winter...Guess Im one of those folks that just likes to whine!! One thing thou, I got good coveralls and longjohns for the winter, but I can only get so neked in the summer. I tell ya brother, that aint pretty and gettin worse every year!!!

Bill