What size / type wire for a quail hutch floor?

[bel]

Hi,
We just had a sucessful Coturnix hatch in the classroom at my son's school, these guys are ridiculously cute. I'm building a hutch for when they grow up, what size type welded wire is best to use for the floor? (they will have rest areas and dust bathing bins too, but I think a raised wire floor is safest for when they move outdoors due to skunks)
Thanks,
bel

 

[mhwc56]

i use 1/2 inch hardware cloth. opossum pulled one of my first babies thru 1 inch chicken wire...take no chances now!

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Yea! Protect your birds agains predators.

I try to recycle predators like opossum and coons.

I feed them to the vultures, after all vultures help to clean environment and they do not charge tax for it.



And remember that ....

 

[Sumatra503]

If you are worried about skunks I would use 1/4" wire for all sides of the cage. This wire is too small for them to get their little hands through.

 

[ssbs]

I use 1/2" mesh that is coated with green PVC

 

[katheria]

i use 1/4" hardware cloth

 

[Rozzie]

Poo does not fall through 1/4 inch wire very easily. 1/2" works better for that. However, some predators might still be a problem.

Personally, if making a raised cage for outdoor use, and installing a wire bottom, I would ALSO take measures to keep predators from getting under it at all. Enclose the legs in wire, too, as a first defense from predators. Make it where you can remove it, though to clean underneath.

 

[katheria]

Quote:
hummm we switched to 1/4 wire, because the corts feet kept falling through the 1/2 " wire when they were younger....
haven't had any issues with poo not falling through....

 

[bel]

Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
I have cages with 1/2 X 1/2 bottoms, and also cages with 1 X 1/2 bottoms. I found out that 1 X 1/2 bottoms are easier on their feet, even though openigs are larger, but diameter of 1 X 1/2 wire is much larger than tiny 1/2 X 1/2 hardclothe wire, so they are more comfortable.

As for predator protection I keep all my quail cages inside large walk in 7' X 15 ' chain link dog kennel with solid metal roof.

I keep my coon traps set all the time outside, so an occasional visitor is lured to the bait and trapped after unsuccesful attempt to get to my birds.