Will Quail go into their “coop” at night?

[RonEstrada]

We’re adding a quail run onto an existing shed. We’re cutting a doorway into the shed for the birds to go inside, where we’re building a smaller, more secure enclosure. My question is will the quail go inside at night? I’d like this as it is more secure than the run outside (though we are enclosing that and buttoning up as tight as possible. But if the quail go inside at night like chickens, then I can shut them in for added security. So will they do it? Or will they just stay out?

 

[Rozza]

so im sorta having this same issue and literally just sat down after physically picking them up and locking them in as i have a heat mat in there and they were sitting out in the cold
i am also a new owner and hopefully will be able to train them to go in at night
bearing in mind mine are only 4 weeks old and it is currently 10 C outside (50F) and will be down to 4 C (39.2F) over night

 

[danalovesdogs]

Mine are in an aviary that has multiple boxes and hidey holes for them to go into at night. Not a single bird will return home when it’s dark, in fact they stay out all night and only go in in the daytime to nap or lay eggs. Couldn’t tell you why, but they just don’t seem to have the instinct to return to a coop at night.

 

[Rozza]

have you tried locking them in at night as that is what you do with chickens and i am hoping it will work as i have locked mine in

 

[Nabiki]

One thing to keep in mind is that quail aren't chickens. They don't have the "home" instinct that chickens do, and aren't going to go into the coop on their own at night. If you get into a routine of shooing them into the coop each night, it will get easier to get them in there, but you'll have to chase them in every night.

 

[Kale the Quail]

One thing to keep in mind is that quail aren't chickens. They don't have the "home" instinct that chickens do, and aren't going to go into the coop on their own at night. If you get into a routine of shooing them into the coop each night, it will get easier to get them in there, but you'll have to chase them in every night.

i agree with nabiki. When we let them out we just pick them up and put them back in.

 

[Rozza]

Ok will they learn that the coop is warm and go in when it get too cold
As they probably won’t survive exposed and they have a heat mat inside for warmth

 

[Nabiki]

Maybe? Quail are actually pretty hardy when it comes to cold. As long as they're dry and have shelter, they can handle freezing temps quite well. It's better to give them little shelters scattered through their run. I use pens on the ground that are half covered with tarp for shelter when it rains and I give them small cardboard boxes that get composted when they get too worn and/or dirty.

 

[Rozza]

ok that smart with the cardboard atm i only have 5 quail so its just a small rabbit hutch it has a protected end
i am going to post pictures in a bit as i want help sexing i have worked out a few but want second opinion
also you advice has been very helpful and accurate as last night when i wasn't sure i rang my mother who is a vet and she said basically same thing

 

[RonEstrada]

Mine are in an aviary that has multiple boxes and hidey holes for them to go into at night. Not a single bird will return home when it’s dark, in fact they stay out all night and only go in in the daytime to nap or lay eggs. Couldn’t tell you why, but they just don’t seem to have the instinct to return to a coop at night.

This encouraged me to get down to my workshop yesterday and round up my scrap wood. Several hidey holes are built and ready! Lord, I hope they go inside in January. But I guess that’s why God gave them feathers.