Quail Architecture
Quail Enclosure Checklist:
Quail enclosures come in all shapes and sizes but they all share some common necessities to keep your quail safe and happy.
- Safe and Secure - Make sure your quail enclosure can't be toppled or tipped over by pests, children or the weather. Pests pose a constant threat to quails, make sure your doors close properly and latches cant be easily opened. When keeping quails on the ground, don't risk predators digging under, mesh the floor. Most land based predators wont penetrate 50x50mm mesh but isn't safe enough to protect from birds of prey, snakes or rodents. 25x25mm mesh is safer for most predators but doesn't solve the rodent problem. Ideally all gaps should be less than 10mm (6.5mm gold standard) to stop rodents stealing your eggs or attacking your birds. Rodent proofing the bottom 200mm or so of the enclosure is enough.
- Height - Quails can be easily startled by outside threats, enclosure height plays a huge importance in keeping them safe. When scared quails will either run and hide or jump up in flight. Your quail enclosure either needs to be tall enough that when they jump they don't hit their heads at full velocity and sustain an injury or small enough that they are encouraged to run for shelter.
- Floor Space - Make sure you have enough space for your quails as well as their food, water and any other additional dust baths, plants, boxes etc. A good rule of thumb is 3-5 quail per square meter (this number can be increased with extra environment enrichment and increased cleaning).
- Flooring - Clean flooring is important not only for the quail but for you as well. Regular cleaning or the adoption of a deep litter system will keep any smells at bay. The deep litter system works by using a carbon rich material (wood chips, shavings, hay, dried leaves or straw are perfect) to counteract the high nitrogen content in manure. Regular turning helps promote the breakdown and ends up making a free compost for your garden.
- Enrichment - Quails are social creatures but we all know we need more than social interaction to remain entertained. Dust baths are great at keeping your quail happy, healthy and entertained. Pot plants make a great point of interest for quails, they love scurrying in, around and under plants while also making a great hiding spot if they feel threatened. Quails will lay eggs anywhere in their enclosure but a nice little box with comfy bedding will encourage them to lay in the one location while providing extra security from the outside world.