What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[ChrisP]

It's been a year or so since we became chicken-less, and have started to seriously consider buying some quail. But before we do, I have a few questions I was wondering if anyone had the answer to?

 

We have an Eglu, presumably the quails will be ok in there?

In terms of handling, can they be picked up and cuddled as the hens could?

I read on the quail section of the Omlet website that they can fly off, if their wings are clipped are they allowed out of the run? If not, will they be ok in the run all the time?

How many is a good number to purchase first of all?

[scarlettohara]

Only get girls and even then be prepared for fighting

You can't cuddle them - they are bonkers, I had one squeeze out of my hand this week and fly round the garden for 1/2 hour

They are quite stupid and sleep in the open next to the bars - a fox tried to pull one of my hens though this week and she has a 2p sized hole in her chest which is thankfully healing and she is fine but now even madder than before

 

Get some pekins - much nicer and easy to handle

[beach chick]

what scarlett says really - just check out some of the threads on the quail section on here... cute birds, but pretty useless in lots of respects!!

[sharon1]

I have 6 girls and one boy whom all seem to be very happy with one another. Tommy the little boy sometimes makes a little noise but I think that's just confirming he's had his way with one of the girlies. I find they are very cute but again don't like being held, however they do let you stroke them. I have been getting 4 eggs on average a day from them. I have been feeding them on chick crumb, they have a bowl of grit and a dust bath, empty plant pots on their sides for hiding in. Mealworms are given to them in the morning which they love and lettuce leaves in the afternoon which are also gobbled up very quickly. Upto now (finger's crossed), I have had no problems with them and my chickens merrily have a nose as and when they are passing. Housing has been made from a chicken broody box with a wire cage of 6ft x 6ft surrounding with thinner wiring wrapped round so they can't get out and predators can't get in. A piece of rubber pond liner I had left is used to cover when it is raining. Hope that helps

[Dahato3]

We have 2 sets of quail. A male and female who live together in harmony but flatly refuse to accept any new females no matter how slowly and carefully we try to introduce them!! We also have 1 male who lives with 4 females.

 

I am very fond of them and find them fascinating to watch but you certainly can't cuddle them or let them out to roam in the garden.

 

The eggs are delicious and very popular with both family and friends. It is important to create areas where they can hide and lay there eggs but a word of warning.... try to create these areas where you can reach them as quail have a tendancy to lay anywhere and everywhere!! (this is seldom where you would like them to lay )

 

Finally, my pair of quail are kept in a guinea pig/rabbit ark which has a sheltered sleeping section at one end. Very occasionally I have found an egg laid here but never to my knowledge have they roosted or sheltered here. They simply prefer to stay out in the open section of the run day and night.

 

It really depends why you would like to keep them. If you would like tame birds which could free range in your garden then I would opt for chickens, possibly bantams. However, if you would like plenty of delicious eggs and birds which can be very entertaining ,then give quail a try!! ( Incidentally, once my quail start to lay they each lay most days. The same cannot be said for my pekins!! )

 

Good luck. Hope this helps.