Jap Quail in cold climates ?

OakA · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:13 am

I have not long moved from a coastal area to one of altitude and very cold winters, possibly snow again this year.
My question is how do jap quail handle the cold ?
A local has told me they usually lose a good number in winter.
My observation is they are on a solid floor in an enclosed shed, this could well be thier problem.
Mine are housed in elevated pens, in trios, on deep litter (rice hulls and wood shavings) face due east for morning sun and the pens are in a sheltered position.
This was done to take advantage of winter sun and are under deciduous trees for shade and protection from intense summer heat.
They are kept for the table and brooded inside under lamps and only put out when fully feathered.
What is your opinion ?
Am I likely to have problems in severe cold winter weather ??
This is all a new experience adjusting to every aspect of this colder climate than where I grew up and had gardens, fowls and quail in the past, it is a whole new ball game.
Look forward to your opinions.

Chukar · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:56 am

I have a friend in Myrtleford and he has problems with the cold and he also has japs and other quails and he keeps the in fully enclosed aviaries using blue board and he has a red heat globe for the coldest nights.

OakA · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:44 am

Thanks Chukar,
Was wondering if I might have to move them indoors, either under a brooder lamp or just in the enclosed warm shed I have for incubators and brooders.
Might make preparations and when the weather at it's worst or predicted cold/snow move them inside, don't wish to lose them and have to replace them.
They are so expensive in this area and I've put together a few lines of heavy layers with good fertility and fleshing/carcase qualities.
I have a number of heat lamp/brooders and even use these for my small dogs right through winter, they also greatly appreciate the benifits particularly if you have an Aug/Sept litter.
Have experienced snow in mid Nov and as early as now but last winter was rather mild, this one shaping up to be a real "brass monkey " winter.
Had only seen snow once in my life and the 3rd day I was here got up to a winter wonderland, white as far as you could see.At 1000mtrs is not a regular continuos problem but in the worst cold snaps it can be bleak on top of the mountain and open to the south.

Bell · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:36 pm **Posts:** 12

You must have really good views though? I bet it get really, really cold up there

OakA · **Posted:** Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:51 pm

Views of the outlying hills are good, but you are right, it does get cold.
Should be here tonight , I haven't been warm all day, it could yet snow, has been predicted for above 700 mtrs and we are well above that.
So far the quail have coped, have them on deep litter, facing east to pick up early sun and protected from the south where our coldest wind and weather comes.

OakA · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:13 am

Well at last we got 2 days of extreme cold and heavy snow, locals and the media reports were it was the heaviest fall in years.
I need not have worried, the precautions of pen placement and deep shavings have done thier job.
After the first day and night of snow I rushed up to check and all were "hale and hearty", they had made a sleeping nest in a far corner and were snuggled down with only thier toplines visible.
Nice to know in future I need not worry if the correct precautions are made in advance.

Bell · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:36 pm **Posts:** 12

Funny how the animals know what to do to cope with the extremes

Taddy · **Joined:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:38 am **Posts:** 1

How would they do out side in the show. I have seen pictures from the US were they are running around in the snow so they must be able to deal with the extreme cold weather

Chukar · **Posted:** Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:47 am

Some can adapt and other won't but remember if you’re talking about overseas then they have centuries of breeding in the extremes so their birds evolve to the climate, ours are different so that is why I don't use overseas web sites.

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