Good quail housing keeps birds safe, dry and calm. The right setup depends on which quail you keep and how many.
Space per bird
A common rule for Coturnix is about 1 square foot per bird. Some keepers use less in cages, but more room means less stress and less pecking. Bobwhite are flightier and do best with more space, often several square feet per bird in a covered pen or flight pen.
Ceiling height matters
Startled Coturnix flush straight up. In cages, a low ceiling, often under about 12 inches, keeps them from building speed and hurting their heads. Pens tall enough to walk in are also fine, because birds have room to slow down. The risky middle is a ceiling just high enough for a hard hit.
Cages vs coops and pens
- Cages: Easy to clean and good for egg collection. Best for Coturnix.
- Ground pens and hutches: Room to dust bathe and forage. Need a solid cover and a buried or aproned wire skirt.
- Flight pens: Common for Bobwhite.
Keep predators out
- Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but doesn't keep predators out.
- Use latches raccoons can't open.
- Cover the top and protect the bottom edge from digging.
Shelter
Give shade and a dry spot out of wind and rain. Good airflow matters in Florida heat, and a draft-free corner matters in winter.
Find feeders, waterers, coops and more on our Poultry Supplies page. For a full building guide, see our quail books.
Learn more on our Coturnix Quail and Bobwhite Quail pages, browse Poultry Supplies and Hatching Time Gear, or read our quail care guide.
Shop Hatching Time quail gear: 4kbowen.com/s/hatchingtime
More quail guides:
- Raising Quail in Winter
- Feeding Quail: Starter, Grower and Layer Protein
- Coturnix vs Bobwhite: Which Quail Is Right for You
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