Housing Quail

1. Keep feed and water available 24/7
If the feed runs out or the water runs dry, quail will get quite aggressive, even to the point of injuring or killing each other. So keep them full 24/7.

2. Keep your birds at the right density
Coturnix are flock animals, so they feel safest when they are around a lot of other birds. But they are also territorial, which means they will fight each other to establish and protect their space or a mate. You can manage this love/hate relationship and prevent death or injuries by following these guidelines about density (how many quail you put in one place):

Cages/Hutches: After extensive testing, we found that 1/3 square foot per bird (or 3 birds per sq. ft.) works best. At this density, there’s not enough room to establish territory, so they are a lot less likely to fight!

Aviaries: In this system, you can give birds more room. We recommend 1-3 square feet per bird. The key here is to give them lots places to hide from each other.

3. Make sure your housing is the right height to avoid injuries
Coturnix have the instinct to pop up or fly when they get scared. If they get enough momentum on their way up, they could get head injuries or even break their necks. To offer the best protection, cages and hutches should be 8-12 inches high, and aviaries should be 6+ feet high.

4. Use hardware cloth for protection
If you’re building your own cages, using 1/2 x 1/2 inch hardware cloth will give you the best protection from predators. We use 1/2 x 1 inch coated wiring for cage floors. Coated wiring is easier on quail feet. It can greatly reduce or even eliminate cases of bumblefoot, a common foot ailment of quail raised on wire flooring.