Lesley Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Here are our quail - we have 4 but can only see 3 in this photo. They have some small shrubs in the corner by the pink peanut and a branch to perch on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 They're cute. I want some but Andyman said no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Don't they get stuck in the peanut? They look fab, if you want some more I have some up for grabs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 9, 2007 Author Share Posted October 9, 2007 They go inside the peanut to eat Martin - I think the fourth one is in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 They are soooooooooooo cute!!!! I need some!!! Maybe as a Christmas present xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 Lovely set up Lesley. Plenty of room for them to stretch their legs and play equipment too. No chance of them getting bored! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 They're lively little things and have a tendency to 'boink' so unless you have a high pen like Lesley's, you need to pad the inside of the roof as the daft little beggars have been known to break their own necks while boinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 So am I right in thinking that an ordinary rabbit/guinea pig hutch would not be suitable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I quite fancy quail too, even if they do boink Lesleys set up looks perfect - just what I was thinking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 So am I right in thinking that an ordinary rabbit/guinea pig hutch would not be suitable? Only if you padded the ceiling! They don't all do it, just some birds do it more than others. Sarah, Lesley's set-up is just what they need - a double door entry is a must because they are talented escapologists as Martin knows . They also benefit from branches to perch on and undergrowth to lay their eggs in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 So am I right in thinking that an ordinary rabbit/guinea pig hutch would not be suitable? Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 10, 2007 Author Share Posted October 10, 2007 When ours were in a poultry ark, the door fell open and they escaped. They flew onto the top of the ark and from there onto the top of the netting which is nearly 6' high. One then flew down onto the lawn and was running around. Since they've been given a run with a roof and a branch to perch on, they seem to have forgotten how to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 10, 2007 Author Share Posted October 10, 2007 So am I right in thinking that an ordinary rabbit/guinea pig hutch would not be suitable? Why not? Because, as Clare says, some of them 'boink' - jump vertically - and can cause injuries to themselves. Some don't do it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I've never had a problem with anything like that. 1 flew off, but that's about it regards flying. I think that they are economically sound and are plenty good enough for the quail. It is well debated on quail forums but I feel that they are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I have to say I have been researching quail for a long time (I know I started looking long before I knew about Martins) and the general consensus seems to be hutches and the like are fine and the only boinking posts I've read have been on hearsay as opposed to actual experiences of birds hurting themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 This may sound stupid but what do quail do? Do they forage like chickens? Are they easy to look after? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 I did a lot of research too, when I was thinking about getting some, including speaking to my lovely chciken lady, Pearl, who has kept quail for 40 years. I saw her quail boinking first hand - they're nutters! They also need to be somewhere warm in the winter, so more expense Having seen them kept in different environments, I'd personally feel happier with a large run as described above. But then it starts to get expensive when you want to breed them, as the breeding pairs all need to be separated to be ensured of pure strains and no inbreeding. I decided that I really don't have the time or money to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 So am I right in thinking that an ordinary rabbit/guinea pig hutch would not be suitable? Why not? Because, as Clare says, some of them 'boink' - jump vertically - and can cause injuries to themselves. Some don't do it at all. I'm also assuming that they need plenty of room to run about and stretch their legs. How much space per quail would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 11, 2007 Author Share Posted October 11, 2007 I don't know - I really ought to do more research I suppose if you can keep 3 hens in an Eglu run then you wouldn't need much space for a fair few quail - but that's assuming their requirements are similar to a hens They are easy to look after if you only want them for eggs - I wouldn't have time to get into hatching any...... but they do like to lay their eggs anywhere.... and usually in the most awkward of places I would like to put more shrubbery in for ours - but I know I wouldn't be able to reach half the eggs then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 somewhere warm in the winter, so more expense I don't think you do, people are often mislead into thinking they need to bring quail inside, you only need to provide the warmth and light if you want eggs through the winter. Otherwise they should be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 (edited) blank Edited February 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 Are you having a laugh Martin?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 How much space per quail would you recommend? I recon you could get 100 in an eglu. You'll have the RSPCA after you Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 (edited) BLANK Edited February 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
