3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[beach chick]

my new double layer rabbit hutch is coming next week, and I am just wondering whether to put it in the garage for the quail over winter. reading up, I am a bit confused - some people say they are very hardy, others that they aren't. at the moment, I think my lot are cold - they are spending a lot of time in their eglus as opposed to the run, although they do come out to eat/drink/sand bathe.

 

I could put them in the garage, which has no door but offers a bit of wind protection. otherwise they would be on the deck next to the WIR, which is in a field - tree protection on three sides, the front would be south facing, but it does get windy plus we are by the sea so get the sea breeze all year round. if they go in the field, their hutch will be south facing, and I was thinking about adding a half height layer of perspex to the bottom half of each open section to keep the wind off a bit but still allow fresh air, daylight etc. I wouldnt say the garage is dark, but obviously there is less light than there would be if they were outside.

 

any thoughts? I have 2 x 6 quail, with (I think) 1 male in each. as far as I am aware, they are your basic common or garden quail. but we have had no eggs since July!! they are on either layers pellets or FsoF quail food depending on what I have in.

 

thanks in advance for any ideas!!

[Janty]

My quail are outside all the time. They have areas that they can hide in and shelter under and they seem quite happy. I have kept them like this for about two years and they always lay throughout the Winter so they must be happy. I feed mine on Garvo quailmixture which they can't get enough of.

[userfriendly1980]

My quails don't seem to move much..I'm thinking its due to the cold. I thinking of bringing them in. All my quails have completely stopped laying. Do you think it's because they are miserable? I'm thinking if they are miserable outside I may aswell bring them in. At least they will be warm and miserable instead of cold and miserable?

[Janty]

You could try bringing them in. As I say, mine are out all the time and they are still laying. How exposed to the elements are they? I have Omlet shades on the sides where they would get blown about.

[userfriendly1980]

They are quite sheltered, however they are on a slope (my garden isnt flat) so when it rains the floor gets very damp, with isnt good on their feet. This is serving quite a problem now as it seems to rain quite frequently. I have just ordered a bag od garvo so i hope that might help them lay.

[beach chick]

mine are now in 2 separate sets in a double layered rabbit hutch inside WIR. they seem happier and more active than when in the much more exposed eglu/run combos, and it is certainly much easier to look after. however, still no eggs - since July!!

 

just cleaned them out yesterday, at the moment they have just a layer of wood shavings - no branches etc, because I put a load of branches in when they moved in and they seemed to be quite wary of them. am thinking about adding a plant pot and bit of drain pipe to each one just so they have something to negotiate around/hide in/play with - not convinced they'd care actually, but it would make me feel better!

 

trying to find a garvo outlet for both chook and quail food at the moment - will prob have to be tinterweb and delivered I think.

[userfriendly1980]

I have bought them in now. Its alot more restricted in tems of space compared to the eglu.. but i agree with beachchick that they have instantly become more active and they are eating alot more! Maybe its from boredom? Feel abit guity bringing them in but I would feel bad if they froze to death... my quails are dimmer than the average quail!

 

I also had trouble getting garvo! I managed to find some online but the delivery was more expensive than the food itself! But I thought its worth a try as I want them to have something nice to eat.. they better like it!!! Should be expecting delivery soon.. will let you know if it has any impact on them.

[beach chick]

I'll be interested to hear how you get on userfriendly. mine are on FsoF quail food at the moment, and just coming to the end of a week of flubenvet. no idea whether they had worms or not, but didnt think it could do any harm!

they seem happy enough in their own dim quail way, if only they would lay some eggs!!!