Wire vs solid walls?

[Teneniel]

Hey there! Brand new quail keeper here, I’m picking up my established flock on Friday.

I've got a two tier 6x2 hutch framed out, and was going to put barnwood on all three non opening sides like I do for my rabbits, but all the pics I’m seeing online have wire sides for quail cages.

Is there a reason I should forego any solid siding? Or is it just a cost thing? They’ll be at the north end of my property backed against a fence that borders a brushy wetland reserve. The winds often come from the south. If I leave the back open, they’ll likely get more wind through the cages.

I could always leave the sides open if it’s a ventilation issue, and board up the back. I’ve got plenty of wire and barnwood so either way works for me.

thanks so much!

 

[NY Coturnix]

I went back and forth on this and went with the solid sides because its cheaper than the 1/2 inch wire. Also felt it would be a little more protection in the winter and rain with the solid on the sides. I have a 3 x 10 divided into 3 pens. went with the solid in between for the same reason.

 

[Teneniel]

That’s a good point, we get a lot of rain here. I think I’ll stick to the solid side plan, thank you!

 

[Nabiki]

Just make sure they have plenty of ventilation.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

My cage has one solid and the rest wire siding. I kind of regret it now because it’s a pain when it rains to make sure it’s all tarped up, but the quail seem to enjoy the air and the sunlight they get. It also keeps it very cool, and makes it easy to see them when I’m cleaning the cage. I stuck with as much ventilation as possible for my quail because it gets very hot where I live In the summer (115 some days!)

 

[Teneniel]

We get a few 90 degree days and a few hard freezes every year but for the most part temps stay between 40-65 all year. And always high humidity.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

We get a few 90 degree days and a few hard freezes every year but for the most part temps stay between 40-65 all year. And always high humidity.

Ventilation will be important with high humidity. Also, pop in an ice pack or two (like the small lunchbox kind) and they’ll snuggle up to it.

 

[Teneniel]

I have an army of frozen water bottles for my rabbitry!

and yes, I’ve left a gap around the top under the roof for ventilation. I sort of designed it like a hybrid between a rabbit hutch and a duck coop

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I use solid walls, however, I think that may make them feel like there is less space than there is. I can only got 4-5 birds in 6sq feet without tons of aggression. I feel like if they were wire walls, I might be able to actually make my space count

 

[Teneniel]

My building skills are nonexistent but here is what I have. It’s all found materials so it ain’t pretty, but it’ll keep predators out and birds in.

I may actually swap my rabbit growouts to this system and put the birds in my rabbit condo system in breeding trios. I’ll have to see how things shake out.