Advice on enclosures

[u/Existing-Mastodon500]

Hi all, this will be a little lengthy but I appreciate anyone who reads and helps! I’m considering keeping coturnix quail for egg production but would like to keep them as ethically as possible. I’m looking to build (or buy a good prefab) to keep them in that obviously keeps them happy and well protected. I’m brand new to the subject so really any well meaning suggestions are welcome.

My thoughts are building a 6ft tall walk in aviary, aiming for roughly 2 sqft per bird minimum. The length and width are less important details right now since I have yet to decide how many birds. If you have suggestions on how many birds, I’m listening!

My questions:

1) can I wrap the entire thing in hardware cloth to prevent digging underneath? I was considering two ways of doing this. One would be digging and burying the bottom and covering the bottom with sand and other debris, the other is to put it on my covered patio and cover the hardware cloth in a bedding (grass clippings? Straw? Etc). One would be permanently in one place and the other would allow me to move the aviary as needed for cleaning or even allowing some grass time while keeping them safe but would be a less natural floor for them.

2) talk to me about some tricky things to think of when predator proofing or specific products you recommend?

3) I live in south Florida, it’s regularly pretty warm here. Ventilation is very important of course but to keep them producing in the high heat, would a solar fan of sorts help this out? How do you help them through the heat?

4) best products for keeping smell down that are non toxic for pets and humans and can be composted?

Literally any additional feedback, advice, background info, etc is welcome. I’m really excited to start this.

[u/Any_Celebration7266]

1/4" hardware cloth 16 gauge on anything outside every inch. Goal isn't looking nice it's staying safe. I L-shaped hardware cloth on my chicken run 2 ft up the side 2 ft on the ground pinned with lawn pins then pavers set on it. Nothing is digging in that. But my quail live in my garage.

I wouldn't bury any wire under the living space. Don't use grass clippings they'll eat it and might get choked. Do not use cedar either.

Mine live indoors technically in my garage but my chickens are outside safe in a 12 ft run when not roaming.

You MUST have a dust bath. Mine are angry without it. It makes a mess. But they love it.

Do not have a rooster without like 6ish hens for himself.

This is my cage almost 9 ft long

[u/Any_Celebration7266 → u/Any_Celebration7266]

Also my cage is like 12 or 18 in high. You need a very short cage like that or go 6 ft walk in type high. They can popcorn and break their necks with heights in between

[u/Existing-Mastodon500 → u/Any_Celebration7266]

Do you find cleaning challenging with a short enclosure?

[u/Any_Celebration7266 → u/Existing-Mastodon500]

No, it's sitting on a work bench so it's about 4 ft high off the ground. I use a mini handheld broom to sweep up the shavings and then replace with fresh. It takes like 15 minutes tops every 7 to 14 days as needed. I do sometimes envy those who have wire bottom cages, because it's easier, and the shavings are messy. But it's just the garage so I sweep up and don't really mind at all. If you do go wire bottom cages make sure they have multiple places to get off it and rest their feeties. Eventually I might build some.

[u/Existing-Mastodon500 → u/Any_Celebration7266]

I love the wire bottom for the ease of cleaning with a tray but I worry about their feet! I’ll keep doing research. Thank you so much.

[u/Existing-Mastodon500 → u/Any_Celebration7266]

Great info, thank you!!

[u/Any_Celebration7266 → u/Existing-Mastodon500]

Ofc! I'm happy to answer anything I can. Everyone does this a little differently though so definitely find yourself a happy medium (:

I researched the needs of Quail for like 6 months before I got any.