Coturnix Quail and my ugly aviary

[amandacv86]

So I can't have chickens here, so I'm planning on getting a few Quail. I found this Craigslist post: http://fresno.craigslist.org/grd/3246283680.html

I'm planning on getting 5 Coturnix hens to start out with, and maybe expand as I get comfortable with them. I want to be able to keep them outside in our aviary, but I have a few questions about it.

This is the front of the aviary. It was built in the late 70's/early 80's for my husband's grandma:

It has 3 separate areas. This it the entrance. You can see the doors to the 3 different areas:

The first area:

There is a shelf in here and that slanted rectangle is on hinges with a chain off the end to hook it up to be a roost. Also, under the slanted rectangle is a little hook. That's where there used to be a water line to some bird baths. It was really cool with float valves in them. The bird baths just fell apart because they were made of plastic, so I took those out. Would that little piece of tubing need to be removed?

The Middle/biggest area:

All 3 areas have these lamps. I hope they still work because if I'm correct It'll help get them to lay more in the winter.

The 3rd area:

The baby gate is going to the trash. Someone thought I could use it for my dogs but it's too broken. Anyway, if you can see there's one metal lid/feeded that will be removed along with the white birdbath on the bottom. I'm thinking of leaving that wood there and cutting a corner shelf out of some plywood to put there. Would they use it that high off the ground? Could they get to it? I was thinking I could put their water up there to keep it out of the dusty ground. Will they use water bottles like my rabbits?

Anyway, I have a few more general questions. I heard they're ground dwellers. I have an indoor plant that another family member left that I was thinking of hanging some of the branches in there so they can have some kind of shrubbery. Would that work? I also can cut some branches to put in there. How high up do they go? I

Eventually I would like to add an outdoor area for them, probably next spring, probably coming out of that section of wall just next to the door.

I was thinking of using up all of the "wasted" space higher up by putting other birds in there. What kind of birds could live outdoors like that here(zone 9)? It would have to be birds that could get along because I'm planning on cutting holes in the mesh towards the bottom so the quail have access to all 3 areas.

There are a couple nesting boxes that are pretty dirty but I could sand and paint. Would they even use them?

So far I just took everything out and dusted all of the cobwebs out with a webster broom. I found a few old black widow egg sacs but as far as spiders only one and the rest were daddy long legs. Should I worry about bugs or will the birds take care of those? How should I go about cleaning off the old 30 year old bird poop, that is non toxic? I was thinking some soapy water and a scrub brush with some plain blue dawn?

Will straw be ok to put on the floor? Will I lose eggs in it?

If you have any other concerns about the aviary please let me know!

I'll probably have more questions later and thank you so much to anyone who has the time to read this and answer them!

Meanwhile I'm going to go lurk on BYC...

 

[catjac1975]

I don't think it is ugly. Very quaint. Is is made from cast offs? You seem to have kept a lot of things out of the landfill. Safe animals-what more could anyone ask for?

 

[amandacv86]

Thanks, no, as I said before it was built for my Husband's grandma when she was alive. I'm sure she's glad it'll be getting some use again.

I do like it. I said ugly only because it's covered in cobwebs and has junk all around it, most is stuff I pulled out of it. I'm planning on cutesy-ing it up a little bit but so far I want to get it functional so I can bring them home.

 

[baymule]

Very tall coop for some very short birds! Really, it is great! All it needs is some clean up and new paint and it will look like a million dollars! You are right, quail are ground dwellers. Maybe put some pine shavings in the floor, about the plant, make sure you know what it is and whether or not it is toxic. many house plants and yard plants are toxic to pets and other animals. Some grass clumps in pots might be nice for them. Or maybe a long planter where they could get in the dirt and scratch around. I had quail once, they laid like crazy and the chicks grew off to butcher size in a matter of weeks. Fried quail eggs are wonderful, a yolk in every bite. just break them into a cup and pour in the skillet! You can have quite a few quail in that nice coop.

 

[amandacv86]

Thanks! That's why I was thinking of having some other kind of bird in there, too. We're not supposed to have livestock here, so my plan is to make them look like they're there to keep the floor clean of spilled seeds. I don't know what kind of bird will be compatible or will be comfortable out there all year, though.

Thanks for your ideas. I'm planning on using straw on the bottom because pine has oils that cause respiratory problems. I usually use aspen but since I'll be composting I want something that will break down faster. I'm planning on putting a thin layer down and putting it down heavier in a few corners and nest boxes, hoping they'll lay their eggs there.

Instead of painting the whole thing, I thought it would be cool to leave the rustic look and just add some trim with a new color. Maybe distress it a little. I'm thinking a light steel blue color. Maybe a matching planter box, too.

The plant is a fake houseplant. I probably wont use it. We also have a few orange branches I can cut and lean against the wall. That's a good idea about the planter. Maybe I can have a few cat litter boxes of wheatgrass or bird seed growing and just dump it in the compost when they're done with it.

I want to eventually breed them for meat, but I don't have the guts just yet. I thought about having my neighbor do the killing and I'll finish them off, but if I'm going to eat them I should be able to do it myself. So far it'll be just eggs but I'm not naming them just in case,

 

[baymule]

I butchered my own quail. I popped their heads off. It sounds awful, but it was quick. They were easy to clean and cook. If you incubate the eggs, you will have LOTS of quail, so butchering is the sensible thing to do. They mature fast, lay lots of little eggs. You need quite a few quail if you are going to use them for the eggs. Since you can't have livestock, call them your pets.

 

[thistlebloom]

I know zero about quail, but what a great coop! I admire your vision, you're gonna be a very busy gal!

 

[amandacv86]

Thanks! I was thinking I'll ask my friend to do it but be there when it's done. I'm more afraid I'll be so nervous I'll do it slow and cause them more pain than needed.

I thought about trying one of these little incubators to start:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ITEM-TH...593?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6a6168c9

have you had any experiences with them?

 

[bobm]

Quail are a prey species and as such, they flee at the slightst provocation. Quail tend to fly straight up first then away. Therefore, a tall enclosure with a solid top is not the best choice as they will break their necks in their effort to get away. 12" -18" tall cages with space enough for 2- 6 hens/ cock is my choice. I would not cut the wires, that would create more fighting problems among the quial as well as any other cage bird that you may add. Also, quail will tend to pace the fence line back and forth and may not find the cut out to enter the next area ( they are not the brightest of birds in this respect). Insead, I would keep the 3 pens seperate, especially if you intend to keep other species or birds. Straw is not the best choice as floor bedding , saw dust or sand is much better. An outdoor run is not a very good idea, cats will cause the birds to panic and posssibly break thier necks. Canaries and non aggressive finches would be compatible. Hookbills, such as Budgies. Cockateels or any parrot type will cause dammage to the quail. Some quail may use the nest boxes, otherwise they will lay their eggs anywhere on the floor that they happen to be at. Use a dust mask then a paint scrapper to dislodge old poop followed by a good scrubbing with soap and water, then a dilute chlorine/ water rince. Let thoroughly dry before adding any bird in. Keep the spiders out ! Enjoy the birds.

 

[amandacv86]

Thank you! I called the guy who is selling them and told him I would be keeping them in an aviary, and he said it would be fine(specifically said I was worried about that), but what you said is making me think again. I would like to keep them in there because It's already there and I don't have time to build another one since I'm going out of town this weekend. I'll be getting them on Monday.

I only want to keep other birds that are compatible with the quail, so it still shouldn't be a problem to open it up. I don't know if I want to just open up the whole thing(like remove walls) or maybe make the openings along the outside walls instead. I would be getting the other birds to not be wasting the vertical space the quail would not be using. I would rather open it up to make the quail happier than get the other birds.

I'll start out with aspen shavings, I have some left over from my rabbits and guinea pigs that I stopped using for the same reasons mentioned before.

I need to take pictures of these nest boxes but they're about 10x10 inches, and have a 4 inch diameter hole, and the top is open. I was thinking of adding a hinged lid to the top to provide more privacy, but could they fit through that hole? If not I had an idea how to make another one.

I have some ortho home defense that is supposed to be non toxic when dry. Should I wash it down, spray it, and let it dry when I'm gone for the weekend? or spray it before I clean it?

Thanks again.