How to Build a Quail Pen

Building a strong and reliable pen for your pet quails doesn’t require a great deal of materials or technical skill. You can provide your quails with everything they need to live happily and even save some money. A pair of quails only requires a small cage of a little over a square foot. However, if you have a large number of quails you seek to keep together, you might build a large pen to hold them outdoors.

Things You'll Need

• Four 4-by-4-inch posts, 6 feet in length
• Nine 2-by-4-inch boards, 6 feet in length
• Four 2-by-4-inch boards, approximately 3 feet in length
• Chicken wire
• Hammer
• U-type staples
• Nails or screws
• Electric drill (optional)
• Cement
• Metal anchors for 2-by-4 boards

Instructions

Preparation and Framing

1. Select a location. If you haven’t raised quails before, you will need to determine the best place to put their pen. Choose a place that is already protected on one side by a wall or building. Also, pick a place that is well-protected from cats and dogs or other natural predators.

2. Measure out the dimensions that you wish to make your quail pen. As an example, the following instructions will produce a 6-foot cubic cage. You may not need such a large cage. This scale of design could be considered a quail aviary, but is not strictly necessary, depending on the number of quails you have.

3. Set cement bases in the ground to give your quail pen a sturdy hold in case of bad weather or a predator’s attack. Pour cement into the ground at each of the four corners of a 6-foot square. Before the cement dries, insert the metal anchors so they are flush with the ground. Follow the cement instructions to let it completely dry.

4. Lay two 4-by-4 posts parallel to one another and 6 feet apart. In between the 4-by-4s, lay three 2-by-4 boards. You will form a square bisected horizontally by a 2-by-4. Screw or nail together the 4-by-4s and 2-by-4s to produce a square frame. This will serve as one face of the pen. The 4-by-4s are the vertical supports and the 2-by-4s run horizontally. Repeat the previous two steps to form a second square.

5. Stand each square into place using the cemented anchors as a groove-like guide. Working with a second person will prove useful at this point. Make sure the squares abut with the wall or building without any gaps. When the frame is in place, fasten the frame to the ground with screws or nails according to the kind of anchor you are using.

Adding support

1. Screw or nail the final three 2-by-4s to the square frame, thus producing the third and final wall of the pen. Your finished structure should look like a cube with each face bisected by a horizontal line.

2. Measure and cut a 4-by-4 post to a length of 2 feet 8 inches, should you want to make a small door. Fit it vertically inside the lower half of the frame. Depending on how wide you want the door, place it closer or further from the edge of the pen.

3. Unfurl the chicken wire and cover the frame with it. As you go, nail the chicken wire to the frame with U-shaped staples. Cover the top as well. When you reach the frame of the door, leave it uncovered.

4. Use the remaining 2-by-4s to build a frame for the door. The vertical pieces will measure 3 feet in length and the horizontal pieces will be determined by where you place the vertical post of the door frame.

5. Attach hinges to the door frame and hang it in place. Once you have determined it fits correctly, cover it with chicken wire as well.

Tips & Warnings

• For a quail pen that better resists the elements, treat all lumber with an outdoor-quality varnish.

References

• That Quail Place: Building a Pen
• Game Bird: Quails
• Backyard Chickens: Forum