Adult quail handle cold well when they are dry and out of the wind. Wet birds and drafts are the real danger, not cold alone. Here is how we get our birds through winter.
Keep them dry and out of drafts
- Block wind on the sides where weather comes from.
- Keep bedding dry. Damp bedding pulls heat from birds.
- Keep some airflow up high. Closing a coop up tight traps moisture and ammonia, which causes breathing problems.
Keep water from freezing
Quail can't go long without water. In freezing weather, change water several times a day or use a heated waterer. Use heaters made for animals and keep cords away from bedding and birds.
Feed a little more
Birds burn more feed to stay warm. Keep feeders full, and keep feed dry so it doesn't mold.
Shorter days mean fewer eggs
Coturnix lay based on daylight. As days get shorter, laying slows or stops. Many keepers add light to reach about 14 to 16 hours a day to keep hens laying. Others give hens a winter rest. Bobwhite lay mostly in spring and summer either way.
Chicks in winter
Young birds need heat until they are fully feathered. In cold weather, keep them inside longer and move them out on a mild stretch of days.
In Florida
Here in Mayo, FL, our winters are mild, but cold snaps and wet, windy nights still happen. A wind block and dry bedding go a long way.
Gear we carry
- Little Giant Heated Deluxe Hen Hydrator, 3 Gallon – $51.49
- Waterer 3 Gal. Poultry – $55.95
- The Complete Quail Keeper’s Bundle – $17.99
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:
- Quail Housing: Cages, Coops and Space per Bird
- Feeding Quail: Starter, Grower and Layer Protein
- Setting Up a Quail Brooder: The First 3 Weeks
Every purchase supports a disabled-veteran, family-owned company.
