What To Do For Quails During Winter With An Outside Coop?

[Coturnix Quail]

Winter is coming and its getting colder every night. Last night we covered it with some stuff, but im pretty sure it didnt do much. Plus, winter is coming. I cant move them into my garage because I have so many it would be nearly impossible. So.. what can I do for them during winter?

 

[DK newbie]

Coturnix quail can handle very harsh temps, they just need to be kept dry and out of the wind. You'd do yourself a favor by finding a way to keep the ice of their water though.
The quail might appreciate a box with hay in each cage. If you don't already have them separated in different cages, you should very soon. At least one male and one female cage. If there are several males in the same cage as females, fighting, stress and over breeding are likely consequences and this starts at around 6 weeks of age.

 

[Tony K T]

What do you call cold?Let them climatize before you cover them.If you cover to soon they may not produce enough down to keep them warm in the cold months.Let them get into the 30 degree weather before you cover them.I raise cockatiels outside year round and it gets into the single digits here in N.H. and they do fine.They just need the time to climatize.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[quailFarmah]

key to the coturnix, just keep them dry and away from wind. maybe wrap your enclosures in plastic?

 

[purslanegarden]

I live in a an area with a mild winter. We might get to low 30s or high 20s for a little bit some nights. Most of the time, it's probably 45 or less in the day time.

The first protection I give them is to wrap tarp around their pen for pretty much the entire winter. They get light from overhead or from the uncovered side which is exposed in the day time but covered at night. This just prevents cold winds from blowing through the pen.

There are 2y times I'm really concerned. First, when it's both cold and wet (rainy days). For that time, I usually just make sure the birds can stay dry or if it's several days expected of rain/ice/snow, then I bring them in to the garage (which I know you couldn't do).

Secondly, when it goes to low 20s or teens, but if it's not a wet night/day, then I put them inside a smaller container in their pen. All of them being in closer quarters for a day or so, will keep them warmer together even if outside was colder. Think of it like how a tent keeps a warmer inside temperature even though outside is colder.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Ok, thanks. We put some straw in for some warmth. They seemed to like it.