How to Raise Quail in the Winter When It’s Cold

Raising quail can be a rewarding experience, providing a steady source of eggs, delicious meat, and enjoyment. However, as winter approaches and temperatures drop, ensuring your quail stay healthy and comfortable becomes a top priority. Quail are resilient birds, but cold weather presents unique challenges that require specific preparations.

At Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm, we’ve perfected strategies to help our birds thrive even in the harshest winters. Here’s our detailed guide to raising quail in cold weather.

Understanding Quail’s Cold Tolerance

Quail, particularly Coturnix quail, are hardy birds and can tolerate cold weather surprisingly well. Their compact size and thick feathering help them withstand temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C) without major issues. However, consistent extreme cold, wind, and damp conditions can cause stress, frostbite, and even death.

The goal in winter is to reduce these stressors and create a comfortable, safe environment for your birds. While it may be tempting to use heat lamps to keep your quail warm, they are generally not recommended. Heat lamps pose a significant fire hazard, especially in small, enclosed coops with flammable bedding materials. Additionally, sudden loss of heat due to a power outage can cause your birds to struggle if they’ve become dependent on the artificial warmth. Instead, focus on insulating the coop and allowing the birds to acclimate naturally to the cold while providing plenty of dry bedding and draft protection.

This approach minimizes risks and helps your quail build natural cold tolerance.

Winter Quail Housing: Build for Warmth

Creating a warm and secure environment is essential for keeping quail healthy during winter. By focusing on proper housing design, you can protect your birds from harsh winds, freezing temperatures, and excessive moisture, all of which can threaten their well-being.

Insulated Shelters

• Structure Design: Ensure your quail have an enclosed shelter with solid walls to block out wind and drafts. Insulate walls with foam panels, straw bales, or even repurposed materials like old blankets sandwiched between plywood layers.
• Ventilation: While insulation is important, ventilation is crucial. Quail produce moisture through breathing and droppings, which can lead to condensation and frost inside the shelter. Use small, covered vents near the roofline to allow airflow without letting in drafts.

Flooring

Use dry, insulating bedding like straw, wood shavings, or hemp to create a comfortable and warm surface for your quail. A thick layer of bedding not only provides insulation but also helps protect their feet from the cold ground.

Deep-litter methods can be particularly effective in winter, as the natural decomposition process generates heat that adds warmth to the coop. Turn the bedding occasionally to promote decomposition and reduce ammonia buildup, and ensure you keep it dry to prevent odors, mold, and respiratory issues that could harm your birds. Adding fresh layers of bedding regularly will maintain cleanliness and insulation throughout the season.

Space Considerations

Avoid overcrowding, as it can lead to stress, aggression, and an increased risk of disease due to the accumulation of waste and limited access to food and water. Each quail should have at least 1 square foot of space to move comfortably, but providing slightly more room can reduce tension within the group. However, quail are social birds and benefit from the companionship of others, especially in cold weather.

Keeping them in small groups of 4 to 6 birds allows them to huddle together for warmth while maintaining a balanced social dynamic. This approach helps prevent isolation stress and ensures they can share body heat effectively without the downsides of overcrowding.

Protect Against the Cold

Heat Sources

Quail can usually manage without supplemental heat if the housing is properly insulated. However, in extreme cold or for younger birds, you might need to add a heat source:

• Radiant Heat Panels: These are safer and more energy-efficient than heat lamps.
• Low-Wattage Heaters: Place them in a way that birds can move closer or farther away as needed.
• Caution with Heat Lamps: While effective, they pose a significant fire risk. If you must use them, ensure they are securely mounted and use a protective guard.

Wind and Snow Protection

Place the coop in a sheltered location, such as near a wall or fence, to provide natural protection from harsh winds. If additional windbreaks are needed, consider surrounding the coop with hay bales, tarps, or other barriers that can block the wind effectively. For outdoor aviaries or runs, cover them with heavy-duty plastic sheeting to shield your quail from snow and icy winds while still allowing some light to filter through. This setup helps maintain a more stable and comfortable environment for your birds during winter.

Food and Water in Winter

Proper nutrition and access to unfrozen water are critical for quail during the winter months, as they need extra energy to stay warm and maintain their health. Adjusting their diet and ensuring a consistent water supply will help them thrive despite the cold.

Nutrition

Quail burn more calories in winter to stay warm, so adjust their diet to meet their increased energy needs:

• Offer a high-protein game bird feed (around 24-30% protein).
• Add calorie-dense treats like black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, or cracked corn sparingly.

Water Management

Water is vital, but keeping it from freezing in winter can be challenging:

• Heated Waterers: Use electric heated water bases designed for poultry, such as the Farm Innovators Heated Poultry Drinker Bucket or the API Heated Poultry Waterer.
• Check water twice daily to ensure it remains thawed and clean.

Prevent Frostbite

Quail feet and are most vulnerable to frostbite. To prevent frostbite:

• Keep the coop dry and draft-free.
• Provide platforms so quail aren’t standing directly on cold, damp ground.
• Check their feet regularly for signs of discoloration or swelling.

Keep the Quail Active

Boredom can lead to feather-picking and aggression in confined quail during winter. Enrichment activities keep them mentally stimulated:

• Scatter-feed grains or seeds for them to forage.
• Add hiding spots like bundles of straw or small boxes.
• Rotate toys like hanging vegetables or mirrors.

Monitor Your Birds

Winter is a critical time to observe your quail daily:

• Signs of Stress: Look for puffed-up feathers, lethargy, or a lack of appetite.
• Egg Production: Expect a natural decline in egg production due to shorter daylight hours. Supplement light to 14-16 hours per day with energy-efficient LED bulbs if maintaining egg production is a priority.
• Health Check: Regularly inspect birds for signs of frostbite, respiratory issues, or mites, which can thrive in warm bedding.

Prepare for Emergencies

Cold snaps and snowstorms can disrupt your routine. Be prepared with:

• Backup heat sources and water supplies.
• A stockpile of feed and bedding to last at least two weeks.
• Emergency shelter materials like tarps, blankets, or additional heaters.

Stay Consistent

Quail thrive on routine, especially in winter when environmental changes can be stressful. Stick to a regular feeding, watering, and cleaning schedule. Consistency helps minimize stress and keeps your birds healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Raising quail in winter doesn’t have to be daunting. With proper preparation, you can provide your birds with a safe, warm, and enriching environment that allows them to thrive despite the cold. Whether you’re raising quail for eggs, meat, or simply as a hobby, taking the extra steps to protect them from winter’s challenges is well worth the effort.

At Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm, we’ve raised quail through many winters, and every season brings new lessons. If you have specific questions or need advice, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help your flock flourish no matter the weather!