Space Questions

KP has agreed to order my new shed when he get home tonight, I've been drawing sketches of how I want the lay out to look but can't decide what size of cages to build, could I please have a your opinions on how many quail would comfortably live in cages of the following sizes -

Option 1

2' x 2' = ? quail
2' x 3' = ? quail
2' x 4' = ? quail

Option 2

3' x 2' = ? quail
3' x 3' = ? quail
3' x 4' = ? quail

the shed is 10' x 6' and I think the walls are 5' 6" high, so i'm hoping to have 2 rows of various size cages the length of the 10' wall similar to my CPQ set up.

All thoughts will be really appreciated.

Suz

Hi Suz,

My new shed is 8 x 6. It is lined out with cages 4 x 2 x 15".This means there are 8 cages along the back wall, and 4 cages on the front wall, below the four windows.

In these, I hope to put 1 male with 5 females.I've got one occupied and they look alright, plenty of space to move around in.

I'm slowly filling them up with different peoples "lines/strains" so that From eggs I set, I'll be able to build up my own "Unrelated" stock. Derek

Derek is there any chance of a photo. I'm getting my shed this wk and plan something similar but on a smaller scale and would love to see your layout.

Harrie

Thanks Derek,

I've sourced 15" and 18" cage fronts, but again wasn't sure if 15" gave them enough head room, or if enough light would reached the back of the cage.

I was going to make 2 cage blocks, each block would be 5' x 3' 9" - consisting of - 3 cages of 3'x3'x15" and 3 cages of 2'x3'x15" a total of 12 cages from the 2 blocks. Made of 0.4cm plywood, do you think that would be strong enough?

Thanks

Suz

I'm trying to decide on sizes as well. Would 15" really be high enough?? I thought they did that boinking upwards thing?

Harrie

Hi,

I think 15 in is high enough, japanese quail don't really boink, they may do when they first put in, but they settle very quickly.

I've seen photo's of the battery cages in Asia, and they are only 12 inches high, there are many millions of quail there. Derek.

sorry i cant be of help suz i dont keep cpq and all my birds will live in outdoors avirys with built in coops

No probs Phill, but these cages are for Japanese quail - maybe I should amend my plans and have the bottom cages with more head room in case I keep some fancier quail in the future - how much head room would the like of Californians & bobwhites need?

Suz

well from what i have found out they are both very flighty breeds and like to sit up off the grond thats why my 1st aviry is 7ft high. also im finding bobwhites need alot of space the crowded they are the more bullying goes on

I've bought 6mm plywood & MDF to make my cages, but was wondering if it was worth while giving the inside a coat of gloss paint or should I just leave the plywood as it is?

Hi Suz,

As long as the paint is lead free, (Which is normal now) can't see why not. My cages don't use that much wood, only the floor is wood, the sides are wire. I do this to let more light into the cages. Floors are covered in a layer of wood shavings. Derek.

How do you hold the shavings in???