more ideas ..... but still need info...

ok ... have been looking around at peoples different setups .. and have decided not to use the full area i have.. but instead to erect a shed in that space... and put inside rabit hutch style cages ... with artificial light ? (ubv tube ?? what grade?)

and also artificial heat for the nights .. an infa red bulb ?? again what wattage would you suggest for a 6ftx4ft sheds ? possibly a bigger one.. depending what we can get hold of.. the one spare at the mo is 6x4

the cages will be raised off the floor.. and under the cages traps... to prevent rats etc

is there anything else i will need ?

peace

James

I have a single bulb in my shed - in the middle of the wall opposite hutches - of 60w and I hope this will be enough light to encourage egg laying in winter but haven't tried it yet (my shed is 7' x 5'). I only use heat for baby/young quail and mine were perfectly okay this winter in their hutches in an unheated shed. For baby quail I used a 100w reducing down to 60 after a wk or so. Or I use an electric hen which is only 45w.

A big ginger tom cat helps to keep down predators - well mine does anyway. He's had a rat and squirrel so far this week.

Hi,

I don't think it's nesseccery to have any heating....... Quails are very hardy as long as they are kept out of strong cold winds and the damp. A shed is an ideal place to keep them over winter.

The only lighting I have in my sheds are the engery saving 11watt (normal 60 watts) I used one per shed all winter and my birds lay throughtout. The Bulbs only cost 39p or 3 for a £1 at Morrisons.

The only other thing I supply is a deep layer of wood shaving for them to snuggle into at night.

Derek

I had to put heating into both my sheds last winter, as i had quite a few deaths by pile up .............. mabye its just much colder this far north, but my quail don't like it

I use tubular heaters like these ... SHED HEATER

Suz

so i dont need ant uv tubes ?? was ussing that a bulb would not replicate the sun neerly enough ?

my idea was the place them in a shed.. younger ones in smaller hutches... bigger ones in bigger hutches.. and then when its nice.. pleace them on the garden in a run...??

peace

James