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I need to build a brooder box for a batch of quail chicks. Thinking about building it out of the foil sided foam insulation boards. Any tips?

>>I need to build a brooder box for a batch of quail chicks. Thinking about building it out of the foil sided foam insulation boards. Any tips?

local farm market here would just use 3L x 3W x 1.5H foot plywood table top boxes (with a screen lid on top). They had brooder lamps/lights suspended above the lids. The only difference between the normal chicks/ducklings and the quail was that they divided a single box into half size since the quail are so tiny when first hatched and easily stressed in larger spaces.
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DP

I have in the past. I suggest you line the inside portion of the foamboard with something to stop them from pecking through the foil and into the foamboard. I would probably get a roll of 6" aluminum flashing, it's easy to work with.
Paul

Any poultry or game birds are very easy to raise. Nothing really fancy is needed. I have always just used a big rubbermaid bin to raise my birds. I think they usually make them to store clothes. Quail chicks are VERY small and VERY nervous. Just use a regular heat lamp, I hang them by their cord from a 1x2 or something like that going across the top of the bin. A good way to tell if you should put the lamp closer or pull it up some is to watch the chicks, if all they want to do is lay under it don't move it is too cold, move the lamp closer. If they are huddled in a coner sleeping away from the lamp it is too close. You want a happy medium, some chicks under the light, some walking around, and depending on hom many chicks you have is how much you need to worry about heat, 10 or more chicks can keep themselves regulated fairly well. And as soon as their flight feathers come in the less and less you have to worry about heat. Also as soon as those feathers come in make sure you put a wire cover or netting over the box/pen Quail get nervous easily and will just shoot right out.
If you have finicky eaters some people suggest putting a marble or something shiny in the food or water to get them to peck and figure out what it is, a marble is about as big as the quail's head, so you should use something smaller. I can't think of what else you may need to know, you can email me if you have any questions. polish109@yahoo.com

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