New to this... What do I need to build???

[dek]

Well I live in Alaska and I will be moving to Nashville in a couple of months. I am looking at keeping a few birds (12-24) for Dog training. (I might drop a few of them on the grill.) If they breed then I might try to breed, but right now I just want to keep them alive. What kind of pen do I need to build? What kind of food am I going to keep in there? I will start out with Quail then maybe get a few Pheasent...  Does anyone have anything to suggest? I am looking fo rplans to print out and go by...
Thanks in advance
Shawn Hines

[gsc]

Where in Alaska are you?  I'm in Wasilla and raise quail, chukar and pheasant for training and just for fun.

Greg Christensen

[dek]

I am in Cordova. I am in the US Coastguard over here. Any ideas on a pen just for keeping them alive??? How is the weather over there right now? We are sunny and cold about 5- 15...

Dek

[Redhorse]

To keep 20-30 quail for dog training purposes I would recommend a Johnny house. You would be able to release birds for training, then let them come back on their own through the recall cone. Here are some pics of the first one I built:











An electronic recall system might be beneficial to you...here is a link that may help you out.
http://www.qualitywildlife.com/
They have the recall systems, and it's where I bought the less mess feed and watering system I have in the pics. I built a waterer and feeder out of PVC using those as a model...they work OK but not like the ones I purchased. Those are in my second J-house...problem is I have no birds in either of them right now!

[CharlieHorse]

Those are in my second J-house...problem is I have no birds in either of them right now!

Redhorse, if I'm not mistaken, you can't keep releasing birds over and over again and continue shooting at them and expect your J-house to stay full of birds. Every once in a while, you have to get more or you're going to run out.

Just thought I'd let you know!

 

[Redhorse]

I kept a batch of birds as breeders for over the winter...but something wiped them out. I didn't shoot them all I promise  . I should have been giving them some medicine I guess.

Actually I don't shoot very many at all...mostly we just go through the motions. I only shoot enough to keep the dogs from getting frustrated ;)