Covey Update
!
November 16th,
2005
The covey is
doing great so
far. They have their own entrance and exit that they can use at
will and it seems to be working just fine. I tried this technique
by accident after making a new entrance trap. I made it a little
too big and some of the birds are too smart. About 10 have figured
out how to get out of that trap - but they all seem to be happy.
Skylar has
taken over most of the feeding, watering and daily maintenance of the
covey. She seems to really enjoy it. With me on the road
this week it will be her first week taking care of them all by herself.
As of today I
haven't received my permit from the state. My Class 9 permit
expired last year but I submitted an application for a new one. I
just haven't heard back on it yet. I have a 60 or 90 grace period
for possession so I'm not too worried - I just like to stay legal of
course.
Covey Update
!
November 10th,
2005
The covey is home and they all
seem healthy. They are eating and snuggling and adjusting well to
the colder weather here. Picking and Pecking seems to be at a
minimum so I think they will all make it through the transition.
Here are some pics......
The New Covey is HERE !
November 9th,
2005
The quail arrived today while
I was in Oklahoma. Wendy did a great job of transplanting them
into their new home. Skylar was at school when they arrived - but
when I called and talked to Ellis he was so excited I couldn't
understand anything he was saying. That's a good sign. I'm
excited about Ellis being involved with this new Covey.
These are great looking Jumbo
Wisconsin's. Tomorrow I will begin training them by letting 5 or 6
out each day while keeping the majority of them in the enclosure to act
as callers. I will keep this going for a few weeks and hope they
find their new environment a suitable home. As the weeks go by I
will increase the "range" to "caller" ratio until most of the covey is
released each day to roam. This weekend the kids and I will be
creating suitable cover for them to spend the winter days while ranging.
The Quail House -
November 6, 2005
We spent the
weekend cleaning up the quail cage and policing up the area in
preparation for our new arrivals. The cage hadn't been occupied
for some time so we had a lot of work to do. Skylar and Ellis did
a great job and it's in tip top shape. This design has proven a
good environment for up to 20 quail. A couple of downsides.
The ramps are not low enough for easy reentry. Our last covey
seemed hesitant to enter using the ramp. This entry is impossible
to lower because of the height of the treated lumber foundation.
It works - it's just not the best design
The design doesn't have fixed feeding and watering locations.
I have found through trial and error that not having the food and water
in secured containers about chest high causes a lot of waste. The
water also gets contaminated often if placed directly on the floor. Additionally, future designs should include a channel for heat pipe so
it's easy to keep the water above freezing during the cold Massachusetts
winter.
(Note the two access doors)
(Front enclosed run pen is
roomy enough for 15-20 birds)
(Front doors allow easy exits
for the covey. Each morning they are allowed to run - keeping a
few callers in the pen assures the coveys return each night)
(As you can see - the return
shoots are one way openings for the covey to return through. I
have these returns set too high for optimal performance. I will be
adjusting sooner than later)
