Looking after quail in winter
How to keep quail in a UK winter: shelter from wind and wet, frozen water, bedding, light for laying, and what to do when a bird flu housing order is announced.
Coturnix quail handle cold well. What they don't handle is being wet and in a draught. Winter care is mostly about keeping them dry.
Shelter
- Cover the windward side of the hutch with clear plastic or a tarp, leaving ventilation.
- Make sure the covered end has no leaks and deep, dry bedding.
- Move the hutch somewhere more sheltered, or into an open-fronted shed or garage, if it's exposed.
Water
Check drinkers morning and evening. Have a spare drinker you can swap for a frozen one. Don't add anything to the water to stop it freezing.
Laying
Expect fewer eggs as days shorten. A small light on a timer to give around 14 hours of light keeps some flocks laying. Or let them rest: they'll come back into lay in spring.
Bird flu and housing orders
Avian influenza outbreaks are most common in autumn and winter. When there's a risk, the government can bring in a prevention zone or a housing order, which means keeping birds away from wild birds, and sometimes fully under cover. Registered keepers get alerts. Check GOV.UK's bird flu page for the current rules in your area.
A roofed hutch with mesh sides already keeps out wild birds. Cover the roof and sides with sheeting during a housing order so droppings from wild birds can't fall in, and keep feed and water inside.
Checked November 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.