How to build a Quail or Chicken Run.mp4

This video shows how to build a quail or chicken run in 10 easy steps! So simple anyone can build it to have a great safe run or home for their quail or chickens.
Related Videos or follow ups
Quail Run lessons learnt video • Quail/chicken run buil...
Quail Run Walkthrough • My Quail Run Walkthrough
Written Media (Blog)
How to build a quail run www.selfsufficientme.com/blog/...
Quail run lessons learnt www.selfsufficientme.com/blog/...
Forum
Building my quail pen by Jen
www.selfsufficientculture.com/...
www.selfsufficientme.com/
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[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for your positive comment I'm glad you liked it! Cheers :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks for your comment :) Just to let you know, I have made a few adjustments to the build since this video - mainly, a simple poly roof over the top (not hard at all to do). Will upload a video today about the modifications I've done, if you would like to see the additions I'm naming it "Quail or chicken run build - lessons learnt." If you have any questions about the build feel free to message me here or through my blog. Cheers :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Silky, thanks for checking the site out! I saw your post - very entertaining :) I'm keen to hear about your quails - I love all that kind of stuff (as you know) and I enjoy learning how others keep quail, garden, cook, be self sufficient etc. Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Silky, the link to the blog is under the video (not allowed to put a link in a comment or I'd do it for you). You could type "Self Sufficient Me" in Google, it should show pretty high in the search results. Then just click on the frog (top left) to get to the forum. Once registered on the forum you'll need a pc or tablet to upload photos to your image gallery. I'll be able to see them and comment etc - the forum is only new we have about 15 members atm - it'd be nice to see you there :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi, 2 eggs a day each, wow! Your quail must be happy to lay so well - that's great to hear. Yeah, quail are a top bird to keep - very resilient and easy to manage. Cheers :)

[@mungbean74]

Thank you for the info! It was just what I’m after. We live in a coastal area in Japan and our pet quails were attacked by a snake last week. I want them on the ground for nutrients and like to keep it as natural as possible for them. So your ideas should be great for my set up.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi, thank you. I have a mix of coturnix quail (mostly my own cross breeding). But, to name a few different types I keep: Texas A&M, Italian, tuxedo, and Japanese.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi, foxes and dogs can't dig under because the thick wire mesh is inserted under the ground down at least 40cm all the way around the pen. Cheers.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks and good on you! Yeah, our quail pen is still going strong - it was a really good project. I'm happy to share ideas alright - no problem at all. Cheers :)

[@TheAquaman1979]

I've just started breeding and hatching my own quail and I can't get over how good the hatch rates are. Great coup and good luck mate

[@Selfsufficientme]

TheAquaman1979 Hi and thanks mate! Yes, quail are a pretty hardy bird to breed and to look after I reckon the only challenging thing about keeping quail is the housing. My pen isn't the best build from a carpenters perspective but it has been a great place to house quail with plenty of room and safe from predators. Cheers and good luck with yours! :)

[@catcherjat1]

Fantastic video. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together.

[@Selfsufficientme]

So glad this video has helped :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

No, I got it from Bunnings (a hardware store for those not from Oz). It's aviary mesh 1.47 mil guage (pretty heavy).

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Jane, I actually used a medium sized spade - flat base & pretty thin (not a shovel). However, there are "trench shovels" specifically designed for this task & they're fairly cheap too (bout 20 bucks for an ok one). Essentially, I followed the string line I had tied between the two end posts to keep everything straight. The spade technique is a dig down then a scrape up holding the loose soil between the spade and side of trench to remove the dirt - easy, but good exercise :) Cheers, Mark

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Greg - yeah it took a bit of time but it wasn't too hard I must say. Cheers mate :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Darian, I just used a spade. You can get those hole digger/trench spades (pretty cheap) from hardware stores. I use a dig from the side and scrape up and out technique to make the cut neat. Took a bit of time but it wasn't too bad physically to be honest. The wiring took the longest. Good luck with your button quail - it's great fun. Cheers, Mark

[@Selfsufficientme]

@Silkymits2000 Thanks again! Yeah, you don't want an encounter with rats and quail it's pretty awful... No I didn't use treated wood but I did use hardwood which will help a little against termites. I'll just keep a watch out as it's an "open structure" I'll deal with termites if I see activity - it should still last many years though. You could use a steel frame if you're worried? A walk through video is a good idea - I'll do a quick vid soon. Cheers, Mark

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi David, thanks mate. I got the expandable gate from Bunnings in the steel fittings aisle where they have pipes with joins to DIY steel frames etc. I think there are several kinds to choose from in complete packages and also other loose gates for pieces purchased separately which need more DIY skill to put together. I just got one of the the complete packages (brand - Romak). Cheers

[@DarianWoodson]

Thank you for the information! I got really bewildered at that part! Also, good luck to you too. Darian

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Gabriel, yes that's exactly where I got my door from :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hey James, yes more quail and chicken videos are in the pipeline (I'll do my best anyway). I also have a blog which has some quail and chicken information if you'd like to visit, the link is in the video description at the top or just type "Self Sufficient Me" into Google and go to the quail or chicken sections. Cheers :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

According to industry standards of 4 per 25 x 60 cm cage you could easily keep 300 plus birds but that would be ridiculous of course. Around 100 is easily manageable and kind enough but I like to keep no more than about 40 at a time. This decreases significantly as we eat them and through winter when they don't lay and I don't hatch out any. I decided to move from my raised cage setup to a run style so the birds would have a better life therefore I'm keen to not over crowd the pen.

[@RDF1775]

Great video Mark. We have alot in common. Just finished my first quail coop a couple of weeks ago and my hens have started laying this week. Would like to share ideas.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Ahh, yes, probably need a lean2 roof and possibly walls. No snow here thankfully, cheers :)

[@shyanerobinson5281]

hey there! I was wondering what was the brand of the door you used?! its brilliant!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Only just saw this comment - yeah I guess this design or a modification of it would suit many birds including pheasants etc. There's even the possibility of introducing non-grounded birds like Californian quail; all that's required is a few perches and nesting boxes/housing to be built.

[@98Areeb]

Exellent pen! what type of quail do you have?

[@Horsefeathers6000]

Hey there, how do you prevent the Foxes from digging underneath?

[@tyhelm1]

hi iv got 2 quail in a run in my garden and getting another 2 in afew days they are great and was surprised they are laying 2 eggs aday each for such a tiny bird also have 6 chickens on my allotment

[@deborahcondeccarr6269]

Excellent ✅

[@SybilDefense]

I have a hillside ~10° (a grassy knoll if you will) that I'm considering, as well as a natural stone walled ravine with softer dark black soil that I am considering for the run. I'm hoping to build a central johnny house for care & feeding and extend a run either across the hillside or down through the ravine. My Q is... I would assume a grade of 5°to10° across the width would be serviceable, and having the run length wise along the drop may cause issues with flight as a 6 ft roof would become a 4' - 2' - 0' space as it parallels the drop, so I would/should square the roof height 90° from the hilltop height, meaning the lower end may need to be 10' high. Also, perhaps the soft black leaf covered forest may not be the best ground for healthy feet

[@Selfsufficientme]

No snakes can get into my quail run as the mesh is too small but I do get the odd snake in my larger pen.

[@Birdman19100]

hi again i was also wondering if you could make a video on explaining about quail and also about your chickens and and chicks you have (chickens or quail) Very much appreciated James

[@DAVIDALD49]

Mark great videos thanks. I have been serching for the expandable steel gate kit you used but I could not find one. Do you have a brand name or can you say where you got it? Thanks David.

[@ginabena1803]

Hi, this is a great run through, guess what we will be doing this weekend? lol

[@sugarhoneysweets]

I noticed there is no solid roof to keep the rain out and I was wondering how you keep the substrate dry? Or from getting moldy? Thanks!

[@gabrielmaligeorges6996]

Hi Mark, Where did you buy the door? Do they sell these at Bunnings? Gabriel.

[@DarianWoodson]

Hi Mark, I was wondering, how did you dig the trench on step 6? Did you use a machine or did you dig it naturally? I am also getting a flock of quails (button quails), but I am a beginner and still learning! Thanks for the help, Darian.

[@laurenengram6768]

I am looking for a door frame kit like this and I can't find one anywhere online or in stores in the U.S., any suggestions on where I can find one?

[@loonivette]

Gee whizz, Mark, I'm so jealous of you and Nina for your property. Do you realise that your quail run is about half the width and almost the length of my back garden, which is located in rainy Blackpool, England. 🙄 But seriously, I love your videos and live vicariously through you. Be well, to you and all your lovely family 😊🤗

[@sneakyam]

Thanks. What's the optimum number of quail you can keep in this size of cage?

[@jeffersontbraga]

Hey Self Sufficient Me, Where can I buy that door frame? I'm looking everywhere for the same exact one. Thanks!

[@Selfsufficientme]

+popasudo Hi, you need to look for a "steel gate frame kit" but I'm not sure what products they might have where you are... here in Australia there are many different brands sold at hardware shops such as this one www.bunnings.com.au/qiq-fix-1200mm-steel-gate-frame_p1090192 Cheers :)

[@jelizg]

Hi Mark I do have a question. The trench was so narrow and neat. Can you tell me what tool you used? Thanks, Jane

[@TheGardenHeiress]

The link to the blog post is broken. Did you delete the blog post?

[@mormonslayer71]

I'm so jealous of you guys in Australia, you don't get snow. I'm in slc UT. We get a lot of the wet snow that sticks to just about anything. A structure like that would definitely crash with the weight of the snow in winter.

[@chickadee8627]

Did you happen to buy that wire online? I have never seen that type before.

[@andrewlizagarner2382]

Mate I love ur videos! they're super helpful and informative you wouldn't belive how hard it is to find vids on here made by aussies! I live in Tassie and would like to get into quail, but I'm on a budget would you be able to make a video on raising quail from eggs to food on a budet? cheers Taneke :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Andrew and Liza - I love Tazzy - my wife and I had our honeymoon there. For a budget meat bird, quail is definitely the right type of poultry - they grow fast and don't eat as much as chickens. Yes that's a good subject for a video although it might take me a little time to produce it since our breeding season is oven until spring. I could create a "chat video" from old footage but I think it would be better if I actually filmed some new video right through the process. Meanwhile, have a read of this article I wrote www.selfsufficientme.com/poultry/quail/home-grown-quail-from-egg-to-plate-in-10-easy-steps Cheers :)

[@andrewlizagarner2382]

Cheers mate thx

[@Selfsufficientme]

Hi Silkymits, yes you were the first to subscribe! I'm glad you could gleen some info from the videos to help with your quail project. I'd love to see the pics of your set-up with the dog-house - sounds very inventive and I think it's great to use recycled materials when we can. If it wasn't too much trouble, you could post the pics on my forum "Self Sufficient Culture" in the gallery or forum area? Up to you but I am interested to see them - there's a link to the forum from my blog above :)

[@haturah3676]

Deadly vid!

[@kaylatomie3690]

Hi there! I'm currently doing tons of research on quails and will be starting my own mini quail farm. Just for egg laying purposes. I was just wondering if you have any tips/facts for me. Or if you can make a video on beginner tips for quails! The web has very minimal information about them. Thank you! I love all your videos!

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Kayla Tomie Hello! I have just produced two more videos in the past week on quail so if you go to my channel you'll see them there. Also, I have a website with information on quail for beginners www.selfsufficientme.com just go to the quail section under poultry at the top menu. Hope this helps! Thanks :)

[@kaylatomie3690]

+Self Sufficient Me thank you! You're the coolest! Do you have a Instagram?

[@Selfsufficientme]

Kayla Tomie yes I do have instagram I try to post daily if I can it's self_sufficient_me thanks :)

[@countrybabe561]

This is kind of like what I'm gonna use for pheasants except big enough to house up to 30 birds and 2 peacocks to stop any fights

[@Joshmosis2.0]

Did he say attack from Orcs? Is this in New Zealand?

[@MicroxB]

How do you keep the odor down? I have a small chicken coop I bought from a local feed store. Unfortunately, the ground gets wet, stinky and nasty when it rains. So after every rain, I have to clean and lay new substrate.

[@Selfsufficientme]

If it's a static pen you have to clean it out regularly. A waterproof/undercover area would also help. Cheers :)

[@loganbisset2807]

More quail vids please

[@ReptileBoy98]

could i just line the floor with mesh instead of making a wall around the outside? and just bury the mesh? or make a trench and pour concrete in? seems easier.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yeah, make a trench and pour concrete in is probably best. But I wouldn't have a mesh floor (unless it was off the ground) because quail have a high ammonia output in their waste and if the mesh was on the ground it would quickly corrode. For a quail pen you really want it to be easy to clean out and a mesh floor would make it hard to sweep or rake out.

[@rogerchou1]

where do you buy your wire mesh ?

[@Selfsufficientme]

roger chou I got mine from our local hardware store Bunnings (it's aviary mesh - heavy gauge). Cheers :)

[@eliaspadilla4348]

how do you get them to lay eggs in a particular spot. mine lay all over

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Elias Padilla Quail do like sheltered areas so providing a little covered place within the pen may entice them to lay in that spot but honestly quail tend to lay everywhere unfortunately there's no way to stop that unless kept in cages and I wouldn't advocate that. Cheers :)

[@gittensshashafii37]

I wanted to know how many heat lights does it takes for 18 chicken is it 2

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Morquet Gittens Ash-shafii Do you mean chicks - when brooding? If so, yes 2 lamps or heat sources should be enough for 18 chicks. Cheers :)

[@tappakeggaday1]

have you ever had any problems with snakes getting into your coop?

[@gittensshashafii37]

I want to know at the bottom of the chicken coop did you concrete the framing at the bottom in

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Morquet Gittens Ash-shafii Hi, no I only concreted the posts and simply buried the mesh about 12 inches down without concrete. Yes you could concrete the base in all the way around it would make it more stronger and probably last longer but mine is several years old now and still is doing a good job. I hope this answers your question. Cheers :)

[@gittensshashafii37]

Thank you very much I just ordered my chicken and I wanted to find out

[@Selfsufficientme]

Ok best of luck!

[@gittensshashafii37]

I find out fresh eggs is better

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes for sure there's nothing better than fresh eggs from your own hens!

[@eliaspadilla4348]

what is the name of the door i was trying to buy one here. doors are so hard to make

[@Selfsufficientme]

+Elias Padilla You need to look for a "steel gate frame kit" but I'm not sure what products they might have where you are... here in Australia there are many different brands sold at hardware shops such as this one www.bunnings.com.au/qiq-fix-1200mm-steel-gate-frame_p1090192

[@trenapickel6060]

You should go to woodprix website if you'd like to make it yourself m8s.

[@jelizg]

I love your video. I almost feel I could do it myself, but I think I'm going to have to get a guy to help me. I will have him watch this.

[@SybilDefense]

"My dog is chicken friendly"... (That's not my dog!)

[@ibaxueto9518]

i keep them together

[@Selfsufficientme]

Ok, thanks for your input! Cheers :)

[@HmongGuitarPlayer]

Break you ten step only to 3 step.ten is still too much.thx