29/08/2026
Raising Quails in Autumn: Essential Care Tips for UK Quail Keepers
As summer comes to an end and the cooler autumn weather arrives, your quails will need a little extra care to keep them healthy, comfortable and laying well. In the UK, autumn can bring chilly nights, rain, wind and rapidly changing temperatures, so now is the perfect time to prepare your quail housing.
*Keep Their Home Dry and Draught-Free
Quails cope surprisingly well with cooler weather, but they don't like damp conditions or cold draughts. Check their enclosure for gaps, leaks and areas where rain can get inside.
Make sure they have a dry, sheltered sleeping area with plenty of clean bedding. Avoid completely sealing the enclosure, though — good ventilation is still important to prevent condensation and ammonia building up.
*Check Their Food and Water
During autumn, your quails may need a little more energy as temperatures fall. Continue providing a good-quality quail or game-bird feed suitable for their age and purpose.
Fresh drinking water should always be available. On particularly cold nights, check water regularly to make sure it hasn't become excessively cold or frozen.
*Expect Changes in Egg Production
Shorter autumn days can naturally cause egg production to slow down. Quails are strongly influenced by daylight, and reduced hours of natural light can mean fewer eggs.
If you want to maintain egg production, consistent lighting may be used, but it should be introduced carefully and with the birds' welfare in mind. Quails also need a proper period of darkness to rest.
*Prepare for Wet and Windy Weather
Autumn in Britain can be wonderfully unpredictable — sunshine one minute and sideways rain the next!
Keep outdoor areas as dry as possible and provide somewhere protected from strong winds. Replace wet bedding promptly and make sure muddy areas don't become permanently damp.
*Give Your Quails a Seasonal Health Check
Autumn is a good time to check each bird for:
* Clean, bright eyes
* Healthy feathers
* Normal eating and drinking
* Good body condition
* Clean feet and legs
* Normal droppings and behaviour
Any bird that appears unusually quiet, fluffed up, or off its food should be monitored closely and veterinary advice sought if you are concerned.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
With a dry, clean, well-ventilated shelter, good-quality feed, fresh water and protection from wind and rain, your quails can enjoy a comfortable autumn even when the British weather decides to do its usual thing!
At Beeswax Bay Farm, we believe happy, well-cared-for quails are the foundation of healthy birds and good-quality eggs. Autumn is also a lovely time to prepare your flock for the colder months ahead.
