Valley quails in the winter?

[TwoCrows]

hmmm I'm thinking it might be a weasel because the holes are too small for a raccoon but too big for a mouse. Solar lighting sounds like a good idea! Walmart sells little lights for $2 each. I'll buy some today. I would like to catch this thing so I can relocate it though!

The brighter the better on the lights. Night time varmints don't like the color red either. So you might get some red ones as well.

 

[Scgamebirds]

Valley and cotunix quail should not be kept together even as chicks. One will turn on the other. More than likely you will lose the valley quail as they are not as strong of a chick and are easily outcompeted for food and easily harassed. Most valley quail breeders including myself raise them in colonies. I generally like no more than 2 hens to 1 male, but many will do more, but you do loose some fertility. If you ever get Gambel or blue scale the same applies. If you are going to raise them in a cold climate I would really suggest a colony situation as the will sleep in a covey to keep warm. I don't know how you planned on caging the valley or where you live, but valleys do not like to get wet as they come from a dry climate, so if you live in a none arid climate the should be keep off the ground so they remain dry.

 

[dc3085]

Foxes and bobcats don't see most red lights or they don't care about them if they do. I keep my red head lamp on while I'm predator hunting so I can see eyes shine in the dark and the foxes and bobcats will come right up to me within 50 feet. Granted I'm squealing like a dying rabbit or rodent but the little predators don't seem to be too intimidated by the red light. Coyotes wont come anywhere near it though.

 

[Ntsees]

My question is: Would the valley quails ( when they are full grown) be able to handle the cold in a set up like the coturnix quails?

Please keep in mind that throwing them out into the cold after they've been living warmly inside for a while could be a bad idea. The concept is that they would have to be acclimated (i.e. leaving them outside during the spring/summer) to weather conditions prior to the cold.

 

[JenandHerQuails]

Please keep in mind that throwing them out into the cold after they've been living warmly inside for a while could be a bad idea. The concept is that they would have to be acclimated (i.e. leaving them outside during the spring/summer) to weather conditions prior to the cold.

I will.

I have a sun deck that they will be in for awhile before I put them out in my garage then outside. The sun deck stays at around 60-75 in the winter. Right now they are in my hallway with a light. They will go in the sun room in 5 weeks then to the garage in March. Once its warmer they will go outside full time.

 

[JenandHerQuails]

Valley and cotunix quail should not be kept together even as chicks. One will turn on the other. More than likely you will lose the valley quail as they are not as strong of a chick and are easily outcompeted for food and easily harassed. Most valley quail breeders including myself raise them in colonies. I generally like no more than 2 hens to 1 male, but many will do more, but you do loose some fertility. If you ever get Gambel or blue scale the same applies. If you are going to raise them in a cold climate I would really suggest a colony situation as the will sleep in a covey to keep warm. I don't know how you planned on caging the valley or where you live, but valleys do not like to get wet as they come from a dry climate, so if you live in a none arid climate the should be keep off the ground so they remain dry.

Thanks for the advice. I can move them into a cage in my barn where its dry. The coturnix will be in the outdoor cage.

 

[Sher24]

I read your posts, and I just had to say, your chick is so cute! I have yet to have a fertile egg. Last year I got a lot of eggs, which is weird. Unfortunately, the male got out and away, so now all I have is three females. Not a great start, but one nevertheless....lol
I am planning on getting more birds this spring. I did not have good results with eggs shipped to me. Good luck, and have a happy new year!

 

[Scgamebirds]

Well if you have all female that isn't a bad situation to be in as getting someone to sell you a male should be reasonably easy. I sold all my extras but I know I ended up with a fair number more males then hens. I know I am getting a few more pairs to diversify my bloodlines and I will not have a need for that many males, just shipping isn't cheap that's the only real problem. But with 3 hens you may be off better getting a male from somebody and most of those eggs will be hopefully chicks for you.