breeder pens

[DoubleL911]

OK guys told you i was new at these desert quail,here we go with a few questions.
I am going to colony breed .Will they take to laying boxes or lay random on wire.
I have a endless source of lumber so i build 4x4x8 pens and 4x4x12 pens.
How many breeders would you place in the 4x4x8 pens.
All feeders and waters and laying boxes are on the outside of the pens so they do not take away from the 32 square foot of floor space.
thanks
Larry

[Jake Levi]

Hi
Where are you located?

Sounds like your pens are good sized, have you checked with other Valley Qual breeders as to if they colony breed? 

I am building similar, but dividing into 4' by 3' pens for pairs for Mtns and Mearns pairs. They are 4' deep and 3' wide by 4' high.

The reason I asked where you are located is re the climate, you may need wind and snow/rain protection. I am in northern MI so my pens will be solid backed and ends and tops with wire fronts and bottoms. Also the dividers are solid. 

[DoubleL911]

Jake

Have not talked to other breeders about that. I better get on the phone.
I am located about 30 miles west of Fort Worth,TX. The 4x8 pens have solid sides and back with wire on bottom and front they are 36 inches off the ground. The dusting boxes are two foot square they are the only solid bottoms to the pens.We just had some nights in the mid 20s with30 mph winds ,back to upper 70s today. All birds did OK.
Larry Lain

[Jake Levi]

Hi Larry

your pens sound good to me, but I havent raised desert quail, yet, but your structure sounds smilar to mine.

"Great minds work alike"? 

Your weather is a lot more mild then ours, I have to worry about cold, you have heat to concern you more .

Good luck.