Quail are the easiest backyard birds I’ve ever kept. They’re small, quiet, and coturnix hens can lay an egg almost every day. But they do need the right home. Quail are tiny, nervous and very good at getting picked off by predators, so a well built hutch makes all the difference.
The good news is a quail hutch is a simple build. You don’t need a big coop like chickens. These 10 quail hutch ideas include easy DIY build plans for raised, pallet and stacked hutches, plus setups for indoors, outdoors, winter and even a walk in aviary.
1DIY Raised Quail Hutch on Legs
A raised hutch keeps quail off the cold, damp ground and away from digging predators. It’s also much easier on your back, because you can feed, collect eggs and clean at waist height. This is the plan I’d recommend to anyone starting out.
I built mine with a solid back half for shelter and a wire front half for light and air. My quail spend most of the day in the sunny side.
- Keeps quail safe from diggers
- Easy egg collecting at waist height
- Shelter and fresh air in one
Project Card · One weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- 2×4 lumber for the frame and legs
- Exterior plywood for the back, sides and roof
- 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the front and floor
- Hinges and a strong latch
- Exterior screws and a staple gun with heavy staples
- Roofing felt or shingles
How to Make It
- Build a rectangular frame about 4 feet long and 2 feet deep from 2x4s.
- Screw four legs to the corners so the floor sits about 3 feet off the ground.
- Staple 1/2 inch hardware cloth across the floor frame, pulling it tight.
- Close the back half with plywood walls for a sheltered sleeping area, and cover the front half with hardware cloth.
- Add a sloped plywood roof on hinges so it lifts open, and cover it with felt or shingles.
- Fit a strong latch on the lid and add a slide out tray under the wire floor for droppings.
Don’t want to DIY?
Hardware Cloth 1/2 Inch Roll
Strong galvanized hardware cloth keeps out raccoons and rats, which ordinary chicken wire can’t do.
PRO TIP Never use chicken wire for a quail hutch. Raccoons can tear it and reach through the holes. Hardware cloth is much stronger.
2DIY Pallet Quail Hutch
Pallets make a great budget quail hutch. The slats become the walls, and a couple of pallets give you more than enough wood. It looks rustic and costs almost nothing.
Only use pallets stamped HT, which means heat treated. Avoid ones stamped MB, which were treated with chemicals.
- Almost free to build
- Rustic farm look
- Great beginner build
Project Card · One weekend · Easy
Materials Needed
- Two or three HT stamped pallets
- A pry bar and a hammer
- 2×4 lumber for the frame
- 1/2 inch hardware cloth
- Corrugated roofing panel
- Exterior screws, hinges and a latch
How to Make It
- Take the pallets apart with a pry bar and sand the slats smooth.
- Build a simple rectangular frame from 2x4s with short legs.
- Screw pallet slats to the back and sides, leaving no gaps bigger than 1/2 inch.
- Cover the front with hardware cloth and add a small hinged door.
- Screw a corrugated roof panel on top with a slight slope for rain.
- Fill the floor with straw or shavings and add a latch to the door.
PRO TIP Sand every slat well. Quail are gentle birds and splinters can hurt their feet.
3DIY Stacked Quail Hutch
If you want more birds in a small space, stack your hutches. Each level holds a small group of quail, and a slightly sloped wire floor rolls eggs to the front so you can collect them without opening the door.
In my experience, stacked hutches are the most efficient setup for egg laying coturnix.
- More birds in less space
- Eggs roll out to collect
- Pull out trays make cleaning easy
Project Card · One weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- 2×2 and 2×4 lumber for the frame
- 1/2 inch hardware cloth for floors and fronts
- Thin plywood for the back and sides
- Galvanized sheet or plastic trays for droppings
- Screws, hinges and small latches
How to Make It
- Build a tall frame with three levels, each about 12 inches high and 2 feet deep.
- Staple a hardware cloth floor on each level, tilted slightly toward the front.
- Leave a small gap at the front edge of each floor so eggs roll into a lip outside the cage.
- Close the back and sides with plywood and cover each front with hardware cloth and a small door.
- Slide a tray under each wire floor to catch droppings.
- Add latches to every door and place feeders and waterers on each level.
PRO TIP Keep each level about 12 inches tall. Quail jump straight up when scared, and low ceilings stop them hurting their heads.
4Indoor Quail Setup
Quail can live indoors in a garage, shed or basement, which keeps them safe from predators and bad weather. Make sure the space has good airflow and some light, since quail need about 14 hours of light a day to lay well.
Keep the hutch on a table or stand. It’s easier to clean and keeps drafts off the birds.
- Safe from predators and weather
- Easy to keep clean
- Steady egg laying with good light
You’ll need: a hutch or cage, a feeder, a waterer, bedding and a simple light on a timer.
Don’t want to DIY?
Quail Feeder and Waterer Set
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant downloadA small no waste feeder and waterer made for quail keeps food clean and saves a lot of spilled feed.
5Backyard Hutch with a Run
A small run attached to an outdoor hutch lets quail scratch on grass and dust bathe safely. Cover the whole run with hardware cloth, including the top and the bottom edges.
A tip I picked up: give them a shallow tray of sand in the run. Quail love dust baths, and it keeps their feathers healthy.
- Quail get grass and sunshine
- Natural dust bathing
- Fully covered and safe
You’ll need: a 2×4 frame, hardware cloth, a hinged access door and a shallow tray of sand.
6Coturnix Quail Hutch Size Guide
Coturnix are the most popular quail for eggs. Give each bird about 1 square foot of floor space. A 4 by 2 foot hutch fits about 8 birds comfortably. Keep the ceiling low, around 12 inches, or make it tall enough to walk in.
Avoid in between heights. That’s where quail can jump hard enough to hurt themselves.
- Easy space rule to follow
- Happier, calmer birds
- Better egg laying
You’ll need: a measuring tape and a hutch sized for your flock.
7Button Quail Enclosure
Button quail are tiny and are usually kept as pets rather than for eggs. They need a solid floor with soft bedding, not wire, because their feet are very small. Add hiding spots and a sand bath and they’ll be happy and busy.
Honestly, they’re one of the most charming little birds you can keep indoors.
- Perfect small indoor pets
- Fun to watch exploring
- Easy to set up
You’ll need: a low enclosure with a solid floor, soft bedding, a small hide, a sand tray and a mesh lid.
8Winter Proofing the Hutch
Quail handle cold well, but they hate wind and wet. In winter, cover the wire sides with clear plastic panels to block drafts while letting in light. Add deep straw bedding and check that the water doesn’t freeze.
Leave a little gap near the roof for air. A closed up hutch gets damp, and damp is worse than cold.
- Blocks icy winds
- Keeps light coming in
- Birds stay dry and warm
You’ll need: clear plastic panels or heavy plastic sheeting, extra straw and a heated waterer base.
9Large Walk In Quail Aviary
If you have space, a large walk in aviary lets quail live almost naturally. Plant grasses and small shrubs inside, add logs and a covered shelter, and they’ll forage all day. It’s also beautiful to look at.
Make it at least 6 feet tall so you can walk in comfortably, and bury hardware cloth along the bottom to stop diggers.
- Natural space to forage
- Gorgeous in the garden
- Room for a bigger flock
You’ll need: a 2×4 or 4×4 frame, hardware cloth, a walk in door and a few plants and logs.
10Easy Simple Wire Hutch
The simplest quail hutch is a wire cage with a pull out tray, set on a bench in a shed or garage. It’s quick to set up, easy to clean and perfect if you’re just trying quail for the first time.
I started with one of these before building a proper hutch. It’s a great way to learn.
- Ready in minutes
- Very easy to clean
- Perfect for first time keepers
You’ll need: a wire quail cage with a droppings tray, a feeder, a waterer and a sturdy bench.
Don’t want to DIY?
Quail Cage with Tray
A ready made quail cage with a pull out tray is the quickest way to start keeping quail this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do quail need in a hutch?
Coturnix quail need about 1 square foot of floor space each. A hutch that’s 4 feet long and 2 feet deep fits around 8 birds comfortably.
How tall should a quail hutch be?
Keep it low, about 10 to 12 inches, or tall enough to walk into. Quail jump straight up when startled, and a medium height ceiling lets them jump high enough to hurt their heads.
Can quail live outside in winter?
Yes. Quail handle cold well if they’re dry and out of the wind. Block drafts, add deep bedding and make sure their water doesn’t freeze.
What is the best floor for a quail hutch?
A 1/2 inch hardware cloth floor with a droppings tray is easiest to keep clean for coturnix. Button quail and very young birds do better on a solid floor with soft bedding.
Final Thoughts on Quail Hutch Ideas
A good quail hutch keeps your birds safe, dry and calm. Start with a raised hutch or a simple wire cage, then add a stacked setup, a run or a walk in aviary as your flock grows. Use hardware cloth, keep the ceiling low and give them a dust bath, and your quail will reward you with fresh eggs almost every day.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.