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Home » Builds & DIY's » Quail Cage Build Made Easy

Quail Cage Build Made Easy

April 1, 2021 by Marian Wilson 31 Comments

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Quail cage build made easy with step-by-step instructions and demonstration. Material list and cut list included!

simply made homestead quail cage build made easy

Materials List:

  • 14 – 2″ x 2″ pine boards
  • 5 – 1″ x 2″ pine boards 2′ x 3′ plywood (for roof)
  • 2-1/2″ screws
  • 24″ wide 1/2″ hardware cloth – 19 gauge
  • 3 – 36″ oil trays (I get mine from Auto Zone or Advanced Auto. $10 to $11 ea.)
  • 6 – 2″ hinges
  • 3 – 2″ latches

Tools You’ll Need:

  • hand drill
  • 1/8″ bit (for pre-holes)
  • table saw
  • clamp
  • wood glue
quail cage side

To begin building the quail cage, let’s get all of our boards cut and ready for assembly.

Cut List:

Out of the 2″ x 2″ boards, cut:

  • 4 – 70″ boards
  • 15 – 21″ boards
  • 14 – 36 1/2″ boards
  • 3 – 10 1/2″ boards

Out of the 1″ x 2″ boards, cut:

  • 9 – 19 1/2″ boards
  • 6 – 36″ boards

Step 1: quail cage sides

Now I love a clamp so get yours ready. We will only be using 2″ x 2″ boards in this first part of the build so put your 1″ x 2″ boards aside for now.

  1. Place a little glue on both ends of a 21″ board and clamp to one end of the 70″ board. Pre-drill starter hole for your convenience and then attach with the screw.
  2. Attach a 70″ board to the other end of the 21″ board to create the top level (roof edge) of the cage.
  3. Measure down 12″ from the top on both 70″ boards and mark. Add glue to both ends of 21″ board and screw into place.
  4. Go down 15-1/2″ from the top on both 70″ boards and mark. Add glue to both ends of 21″ board and screw into place. We will continue this process with the following measurements as follows.
  5. 27-1/2″ from the top, glue, screw into place.
  6. 31″ from the top, glue, screw into place.
  7. 43″ from the top, glue, screw into place.
  8. And lastly, 46-1/2″ from the top, glue, screw 21″ board into place. It should look like the image above.

You have completed one side of your quail cage. Congratulations! You are well on your way. Now repeat this process for the other side.

quail cage corner

Step 2: how to join the sides

First, we will ONLY join the backside of the quail cage together. You will need 7 – 36 1/2″ boards.

  1. Join the 2 sides together at the top.
  2. Align a 36 1/2″ board with the 21″ board that created the side. See photo above.
  3. Continue this process all the way down wherever there is a 21″ board on the side.

Step 3: how to build the front

  1. Take 2 – 36 1/2″ boards and place a mark at 17 1/2″.
  2. Join the 10 1/2″ board at the 17 1/2″ mark on both 36 1/2″ boards. Always glueing both ends and then screwing into place.

You have just framed out the front of one of your quail cages. Now repeat this process for the other two cages.

quail cage front

This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But I only recommend products we would use ourselves. See my full disclosure here.

Step 4: front assembly

  1. Attach one of the quail cage frames you just made to the sides beginning at the top.
  2. Continue this process for the other two cage fronts.
  3. Place a 36 1/2″ board along bottom, aligned with 21′ side board. This is for your bottom tray.
quail cage doors

Step 5: it’s time to build the doors

  1. Measure the opening where you want the door to be hung.
  2. Subtract 1/4″ to 3/8″ from the horizontal measurement and cut 2 pieces.
  3. For the vertical pieces we will need to subtract the width of the horizontal pieces as well. Therefore, take you vertical measurements and subtract 3-1/4″ and cut 2 boards to that size.
  4. Join together as shown above with wood glue and screws.
  5. Cover with hardware cloth.

Repeat this process for the remaining two doors making adjustments in size when needed. Sometimes it takes a little tweaking. At least for me anyway.

quail cage floor

For the floor we will use the 1″ x 2″ boards.

Step 6: quail cage removable floor

Here we will go through the same process as the doors except we’ll be measuring the inside where the floor will go AND we will be using 1″ x 2″ boards instead of the 2″ x 2″.

  1. Measure horizontally the inside opening where the floor will go and subtract 1/4″ from the horizontal measurement. Cut 3 sticks of wood (1 for center to add stability).
  2. Now measure the vertical width, subtract 3-1/4″ from the measurement and cut 2 sticks of wood.
  3. Join together with wood glue and screws.

Here you can use smaller screws if you want or need to because the boards are thinner. Place inside floor area and test for size. You may need to trim a tad but not a problem! I hate having to take something apart and redo but sometimes you just have to. So take it apart and give it a little trim. The glue hasn’t had time to set and you’ll be so glad you did when it comes time to remove the quail cage floors for cleaning.

  1. Cover with hardware cloth.
  2. Screw through outer 2″ x 2″ board into the 1″ x 2″ board to hold into place.

Repeat this process for the other two floors.

You can watch the video as I demonstrate the build and show you what to look for and how each step goes.

Step 7: the finishing touches

Now it’s time to hang the doors and add the hardware cloth.

  1. Staple hardware cloth to both ends and the back. It’s okay to cover the tray slot on these areas if you like or you can measure and cut cloth to fit the cage opening only. It’s your choice.
  2. Hang the door on the front and then add hardware cloth to the front opening only. DO NOT cover the opening where the tray will go.
  3. Nail or screw the 2′ x 3′ sheet of plywood to the top of the quail cage for the roof.
  4. Add trays

Your quail cage is ready for it’s new inhabitants.

simply made homestead quail cage build made easy

How to Video Links Below for Raising Quail:

  • Quail Cage Feeder Install
  • How to Lessen the Waste
  • DIY Automatic Waterer
  • Automatic Waterer Upgrade
  • Don’t Let the Flies Overtake your Quail
  • Male or Female?
  • All of These Quail Eggs!
  • Quail Cage Clean Up Made Easy
  • Learn to Harvest & Butcher Quail
  • Quail for Supper

Find More Homesteading Links Below:

  • How to Make the Best Sourdough Bagels
  • How to Build the Best Tomato Trellis
  • How to Homestead with Only an Acre of Land
  • About Us
  • How to Grow an Amazing Corn Crop this Year

If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I love to hear from you!

Happy Homesteading!

Marian

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If you ever have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to ask. We love to hear from you!

Happy Homesteading!

Marian

Filed Under: Builds & DIY's Tagged With: build a quail cage, diy inspiration, diy quail cage, diy quail cage stacked, easy homemade quail cage, easy quail cage, fresh food, growing our own food, homemade homestead, homemade quail cage, how to build a quail cage step by step, how to build a stacked quail cage step by step, how to build quail cage, learn how to build a quail cage, learn how to homestead on an acre, quail cage build, quail cage build made easy, raisinglivestock, three level quail cage

About Marian Wilson

Building a homestead from scratch and striving for a more natural and self sufficient way of life: recipes from scratch, learn to grow food, builds and DIY's.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ken

    June 16, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    What did you end up using for waterers? Do you have a link ? THANKS!!

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      June 18, 2021 at 12:25 pm

      On one of my pens I have an automatic waterer that I will be creating a video/blog post on soon. But the other pens I use regular chicken waterers in their cages for now just because I haven’t gotten around to building the automatic ones yet.

      Thank you so much for checking out my blog!

      Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      July 5, 2021 at 2:08 pm

      Hi Ken,
      Just wanted to update you and provide you with a link to my new video “DIY Automatic Waterer”. You can just follow this link here: https://youtu.be/_sunyBpQkJw

      Please let me know if you have any questions. I hope this helps!

      Best wishes,

      Marian

      Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      September 19, 2022 at 12:15 am

      Going back through some of the comments and wanted to share a link to building an automatic waterer for your quail. Hope you enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cni6V77sGbY&t=35s

      Reply
  2. Donna Coleman

    February 5, 2022 at 6:12 am

    Where did you get your feeders that hang on the outside of pen? Also, do you keep your pens under cover or outside? Thx

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      February 8, 2022 at 12:49 pm

      Here is a link to the feeders: https://www.strombergschickens.com/product/9-5-econo-feeder-with-lid

      I keep my cages inside a garage right now but a shed or such would work too. You could extend the roof on the cages which would make them work for outside too but I’d paint the boards to keep them rotting. Also, place the legs on concrete or pavers to keep them off of the ground.

      I hope that helps and the best of luck to you.

      Reply
  3. Cee

    March 31, 2022 at 3:26 pm

    Hi! It looks like the link to the automatic water feeders aren’t working properly on YouTube. Can you please help? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      April 2, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Perhaps there was something going on with Amazon that blocked them, I just don’t know. But I did test them and they took me to the products. I’ve included them below for your convenience. If you have any more issues please let me know. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.

      HELPFUL LINKS:
      Poultry Nipples: https://amzn.to/3ApEutH
      3/8″ Brad Point Bit: https://amzn.to/2YEE4mg
      teflon tape: https://amzn.to/2YzTpnM

      These links are affiliate links which means that we receive a small commission that helps our channel. Thank you so much for joining us!

      Happy Homesteading,

      Marian

      Reply
  4. tim

    May 8, 2022 at 6:15 pm

    is the materisl list provided for one three section quail cage or is that for two, I just started raising quail a few weeks agobought some pearls and waiting for them to mature. I have tried looking at different plans and out of all of them, i like yours the best but my quail will be staying out side i live in town but have a good size yard, great work and keep it up

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      May 8, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      The material list is for one 3-level cage. With them staying outside, be sure to extend the roof to give them cover in the rain and place them somewhere to protect them from too much wind if you can. They love the outdoors but no need a little protection. Best of luck in your journey and let me know if you have any further questions. I’m glad to help and thank you so much for checking out the blog. We also have a YouTube Channel, Simply Made Homestead, with lots and lots of things in regard to raising quail. Thanks again!

      Reply
    • tim

      May 16, 2022 at 11:56 am

      I was going to use your plans but at one end i was going to make a box and connect it to the cage so the quail will have a place to go during rain and high winds, since these will out side should i use straw or pine shavings in the box to help them and do you place anything inside for a dust bath, I have the pearls now but boy do they kick the sand everywhere along with straw.

      Thank you

      Reply
      • tim

        May 16, 2022 at 12:02 pm

        I was going to ask do you cull any of your quail i have 12 now bught them as a straight run but I think all are male i have a few crowing but i am not getting any eggs and they should be 8-10 weeks old, i try to ID the males from females but they ase hard to handle at times.

        Reply
        • Marian Wilson

          May 16, 2022 at 4:04 pm

          I do cull my extra males and females that don’t make the cut (size, color, traits). And at 8 weeks they can still be hard to sex. We have a YouTube channel full of videos on raising quail with “how to sex”, “how to butcher”, etc. There is lots of good information that could help a bunch. Here’s the link here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAs5iHYl7ol9kzHmiprKlB8_hnYZGGK8b

          Let me know if you any other questions. I’m here to help!

          Reply
      • Marian Wilson

        May 16, 2022 at 3:58 pm

        I think that’s an excellent idea and you can use shavings or hay with a solid bottom. If you use wire, hay would be better. Make sure you can get to it easily for clean up.

        As for their sand bath, I’ve used builders sand before, but currently we will on a sandy piece of property so we just use sand from the yard. A little diatomaceous earth and wood ash are really good additives to help fight against mites. But it only needs a little. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems but quail are much tougher than chickens. They’re awesome!

        Reply
  5. tim

    May 18, 2022 at 11:02 am

    I had a question, I put straw in my quail box where the quail can get out of the bad weather that is where most of them go at night why would they keep kicking the straw out. I would put new straw in several times a week when i clean the pen and by the end of the day it is in their pan they have pushed through the 1/2 inch wardware cloth for the bottom.

    Reply
  6. Jessica G

    May 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    Great cages! I’d love to use the plan for our new flock. Can you confirm the length of the boards used to get the cuts outlined? Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      June 6, 2022 at 10:28 am

      Yes, the measurements are accurate.

      Reply
  7. Sarah

    June 15, 2022 at 10:07 pm

    What do you use for the removable tray?

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      June 28, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      I use drip pans purchased from Auto Zone and Advanced Auto. At the time of purchase they were $11 each. Here are some links that should help: Advanced Auto: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/flotool-galvanized-drip-tray-11430mi/9016759-P?searchTerm=drip%20tray; Auto Zone: https://www.autozone.com/shop-and-garage-tools/oil-drain-pan/surebilt-large-drip-tray/475418_0_0

      Reply
  8. Jason

    July 13, 2022 at 11:45 am

    Do you put the hardware cloth on the top of the boxes (under the trays) or do they act as the roof?

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      July 13, 2022 at 11:52 am

      No hardware cloth under trays. Trays do the job for us.

      Reply
  9. Scott Ferrer

    July 14, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    Looks like you copied another cage builders plan. https://youtu.be/w5VGuEQHXGY

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      July 14, 2022 at 6:41 pm

      Why yes I did! I watched several videos, built the cage that I preferred, and then made a video when I built my second cage to share with others. Never claimed that the plan was an original. Just shared the process in hopes of simplifying it and making it super easy for others that might like to do the same.

      Reply
      • Catherine

        October 21, 2022 at 2:22 pm

        I watched his video and prefer yours.Thanks for making it! I just build mine and have 4 young kids so I’ve worked slowly on it for 2 days. Very simple to follow and easy to come back to. Looking forward to checking out your automatic waterer build! They will be outside bear our chicken coop i will do a tarp for drafts and snow. Any other suggestions to help with drafts and sbow? Thanks!

        Reply
        • Marian Wilson

          October 22, 2022 at 12:58 am

          I would use tin for the roof and make it slanted. Just a slight elevation on one side to help the snow slide off. Also, be sure extend the roof some to give them extra coverage. With them living outside, if you could extend it 8 to 12 inches that would be great.

          So glad to have you along and the best of luck with your quail.

          Reply
    • Lauren

      July 28, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      Hi about how many quail do you put in each level?

      Reply
      • Marian Wilson

        July 28, 2022 at 7:42 pm

        I put 1 male to 5 females.

        Reply
  10. Loris Matheny

    August 4, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    I have the frame built. Next comes the wire and doors. Thank you very much for the exact measurements on the cut list. That made the built go so much faster! One caveat for future builders. DO NOT SKIP STEP #3. I was on a roll and glued and screwed all the 36-1/2″ pieces to the front and back. OOPS! I had to use pocket holes to get the center upright in. Another fix would have been metal strips with screw holes. It would have been so much easier if I had followed the instructions.

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      August 9, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it and it’s help you in your endeavor. Best of luck with your quail and thank you so much for your very kind comment.

      Reply
  11. Andre

    August 15, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    I followed your tutorial video and completed 3 hutches in one week, your instructions were clear and precise and made the build fun project, not to mention also the Quails are quite happy with there new home.
    Thanks Marian.

    Reply
    • Marian Wilson

      August 16, 2022 at 1:59 am

      Thank is so good to hear! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it and that it has helped you in your quail journey.

      Reply

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