Quail Protection

[JOEQUAIL]

I am new to raising bobwhites.  I have taken extreme care in building my first pen, 16'x16'. I have used 1/2"x1" woven wire and thought I had my bases covered.

One problem blacksnakes.  Got 4 of mine for dinner.  I live in the country and I am at a loss.  Any suggestions.--Cover the entire pen with .5x.5"??

I am just distrought.

[CharlieHorse]

 

1/2 x 1/2 would probably do it, but that is probably something that you don't want to have to do or buy, especially after just building it.

I throw mothballs all around my pen and buildings, plus I try to keep any mice dead through various methods. 

Now that they know where the easy food is at, you may have to kill or catch it/them..............or go with the 1/2 x 1/2 wire?

Good Luck

[slider]

AHHHHHHHH ! The Black Rat Snake....welcome to quail raising...dont sweat it..just raise a few extra for them..and they will also keep the rat and mouse problem down...the best time to catch them is at night. And you must have a pretty big hole or space some where in the cage for it to get back out after eating the quail..usually when they eat one or two there trapped inside the cage.....

[jchiar]

Use 1/2x1/2   1/2 x1 is to big

[steg]

I'm no genius but an ole timer up here told me to "snake proof"  a pen I should use 1x10 at right angles like an upside down L. They crawl to the back and up but hit the next board over their heads.

he said I could move it up the outside of the pen until I found the sweet spot wehre the wouldn't crawl around the horizontal lip..

Hope this helps. It works in production and the description sounded really good in my mind....

[CharlieHorse]

I'm no genius but an ole timer up here told me to "snake proof"  a pen I should use 1x10 at right angles like an upside down L. They crawl to the back and up but hit the next board over their heads.

Good Idea, steg.     And  .

[slider]

  that is something to think about...