Nesting Boxes

[Andrew S.]

The spring is fast approaching and I figured I should get on the ball.  I want to build some nest boxes for bobwhite quail.  I have looked around and have seen dimensions of 6in wide, 6in high, and 6in deep.  Does this seem acceptable?  When building them, should I leave the whole front open, or cut a hole for them to go through? 

Another question I have is about pheasant next boxes.  I need to know the dimensions of a nest box that would be suitable for Reeves, Amherst, and Red/Yellow golden pheasants.  I couldn't find this information anywhere. 

Thanks,
Andrew S.

[Reeves]

I haven't built any nest boxes for my Quail. They lay in their hutch, in a corner. But, I'm thinking a bit bigger than you mentioned for the Quail.

All the Pheasants you mention have fairly long tails. (as are mine)
For nest boxes I made a "tray" that is about 2' x 1.5' x 6", with hay, then set in corners.
If you have egg eaters, you may want to put sides & top on, leaving the open side pointed towards the darker side of where you put it. If you want, you can also make the sides higher of a "tray" style, to keep the eggs more out of site.

[jk]

I would make them 8x8x8. My bobwhites lay in a hutch in the corner that is like 4x2 and filled with hay. My pheasants lay in one that is like 6x3.

[Andrew S.]

I built them a while ago and they are in the pen now.  I decided to make them 8X8X8, and I put both sides and a top on.  They haven't laid any eggs yet so I don't know what is going to happen.  I put hay in each box. 

Andrew S.

[wirenut]

Be carefull with the box espacally if they have tops on them, to many female ,sometimes, will get in there and smother a few, this is for the quail. I colony breed and they will lay where ever the time calls for it, but usally they will hit a corner, changing corners from day to day.