When Japanese quail are kept domestically on raised wire-floored coops, they rarely show broody tendencies sitting on and hatching their own eggs is very unusual behavior for quail. They won’t roost in trees, but rather find shelter in thickets and bushes, and scratch about in forest detritus for insect snacks. Ground Coop or Raised Coop? The Nature of Quail… and Your Back A few simple coop modifications will provide your quail with a safe home that also accommodates their natural preferences. Rather than punish wildlife for their instinctual behaviors, we must take responsibility for providing a safe, secure environment for our animals. Hawks, raccoons, and foxes are just a few of the natural predators that can pose a threat to domestic fowl, but they don’t deserve all the blame. Many coops available commercially are made with chickens in mind construction and design elements that are suited for chickens become weaknesses when used for quail. One area of quail husbandry that can prove challenging, however, is housing them. Raising Coturnix quail-also known as Japanese quail-is an approachable endeavor, made easier by the low maintenance habits of the birds and their hardiness against disease and climate shifts. (Unless otherwise noted, all photos by author.) Quail Are Easy to House Learn tips and tricks for safely housing these marvelous birds from quail expert and owner, Kelly Bohling.