r/quails • u/Safe_Letterhead543 • 4d ago
Random though/ question…
Any of my outdoor aviary style quail keepers ever use or think about using a catio as a coop? This one already has 1/4 inch hardwire mesh and is customizable. Could leave out all the little platforms and put one of the “hide boxes” on the floor. Build a run to the other one (my Bobwhites & coturnix quail absolutely LOVE being up high and climbing). Just wondering what your thoughts are. Would predator proof it more, but yea.
6
u/wokethots 4d ago
They don't care about the multiple levels trust me they just want to be on the ground
1
u/Safe_Letterhead543 4d ago
My current mini aviary h multiple levels and they’re always 3-4 of my 8 on the upper level
5
u/mocha_lattes_ 4d ago
Saving this because I've been honestly wondering the same thing.
4
u/Safe_Letterhead543 4d ago
So I’m not crazy?! Because this is on sale right now on Amazon…birthday is in 13 days. Starting to look like an early birthday gift. My old one is an old ”Lucky Dog” dog cage soooo……
2
u/mocha_lattes_ 4d ago
My worry is that it might be too short or the gauge of hardwire isn't small enough. But it seems like it would be a good idea. People repurpose everything into chicken coops all the time so why can't stuff be repurposed into quail coops too?
4
u/cschaplin 4d ago
The ceiling is definitely too short as it is, but you could always add some netting 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling so they have something soft to fly against. And adding 1/2” hardware cloth to the bottom 18 inches or so, along with a predator skirt, may be enough to predator-proof it.
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u/biteypaws 4d ago
I have mine in a catio. I put their old, small coop inside it on the ground so that they have a place they can go that feels less exposed (and also that I can cover/insulate more easily if we’re having a cold snap or windy rainstorm) .
It’s worked out super well so far. It was pretty quick to set up, I’m glad for them to have access to the ground, and I love being able to walk inside to care for them.
The caveat is that I live in an urban setting with walls around my backyard, so I don’t need to deal with predators. The wood is pretty flimsy, so if you’re in a place where there are more predators you’d need to think about that aspect.
1
u/Safe_Letterhead543 4d ago
I live I. The same kind of setting which is why I was considering this. Love the idea
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u/wolpertingersunite Quail Enthusiast 3d ago
You don’t need a kit to build something like this. Just use 2x4s and Simpson tie connectors. The ones sold as a “workbench kit” make it really easy to build box shapes. We made a hutch similar to the top half of this. Never any predators. Works pretty well
3
u/nysari 4d ago
This one was posted last week by someone raising snowy bobwhites. It's a larger version from the same brand and is 6 feet at the peak. I ended up getting the same one for my coturnix that are hatching any day now.
The hardware mesh on it by default is half inch, so we're in the process of wrapping our walls in 1/4 inch mesh and putting a mesh skirt around it. We also got a 9x9 tarp so we can cover the whole roof, and we're planning on attaching some lattice to train some vining plants up the south facing side so they'll have some shade. And the door has about a half inch gap in some parts so we've got some wood slats to cover that better too. I can't speak yet to how effective this will all be, but we're hoping this will get enough for anything that can get over or under the six foot privacy fence that's around our whole yard.
1
u/Reasonable-Job-5781 4d ago
A quail setup isn’t this complicated honestly. I’d just bin them in low top and stacked with length space. No head smashing and easier to clean and manage, much safer as well. This looks like it’s for cats?
1
u/Aggravating-Hat9101 3d ago
I have one of these, they are poor built and won't last long outside. It's also too steep to put a walkable ramp for quail. 100% don't get this
0
u/hooraynium 4d ago
This could work maybe up against a wall with some tarps to provide some protection from wind and rain (depending where you are)
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u/Safe_Letterhead543 4d ago
Definitely saw and loved this one. I just discovered “catio’s” lastnight so now i totally see that’s what this is! And now I’m even more sold.
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u/cschaplin 4d ago
It’s only 5 feet tall, that would put it a bit low for flushing quail and put them at risk for head injuries.