Learn to build this automatic DIY quail feeder with PVC pipe for your caged or wild quail site, creating less waste and cleaner water.
Why We Raise Quail
We raise quail because they are very fast-growing animals and a great meat source. Within six weeks of hatching, they will start laying eggs. One quail can lay up to three eggs per day.
While we raise chickens for meat, we also raise quail as an inexpensive and fast way to fill our freezer with meat. The downside to raising quail is that they’re messy, messy, messy, and they waste a lot of food.
Our quail were throwing all the food they didn’t want into their water, onto the ground, and even into their bedding. We wanted to reduce the amount of food they waste and the mess.
What Do Quail Eat
Quail are picky eaters. In the wild, they’re considered omnivores and they’ll forage for bugs, mealworms, seeds, and grains by scratching the ground. In captivity, they need to eat about 20% of their body weight daily through quail feed.
You can mix your quail feed and supplement feed with insects, leafy greens, seeds, and berries, but it’s important to remember that quail’s needs vary slightly by breed. You can find more information on the nutritional requirements for quail here.
Pro-Tip: It’s a common misconception that chicken feed and quail feed are interchangeable. Chicken feed has not been formulated to meet a quail’s nutritional needs and is not recommended for your quail.
Benefits of a DIY Quail Feeder
We were using regular chicken feeders for our quail, but the feeders were taking up room in the cage, and the quail were able to waste a lot of feed. Because we don’t like wasting money on lost feed, we figured there had to be a better way.
We researched custom DIY quail feeders and found that the U-shaped PVC pipe feeder designed by my friend, Dutch, at “Keeping it Dutch” was a great option. It was less intrusive and took up less space in the cage.
I decided to mount the feeder on the door, so it would be easy to access and easier to fill.
Supplies
- Measuring Tape – A tape measure is needed to calculate the right size feeder for your cage size.
- Permanent Marker – I use a sharpie to mark my measuring lines, but a pencil or pen would also work.
- Hand Saw – I use an electric-powered reciprocating saw to cut the PVC pipe.
- 1¼ Inch Hole Saw – The hole saw will allow you to drill perfect holes into the PVC pipe. These holes are where the quail will feed.
- Zip ties – Zip ties are great for securing the feeder to the cage.
- PVC Glue (Optional) – I didn’t glue the PVC pipes together, but you can glue them if needed.
Cut List
- (1) PVC Pipe: 10-foot Length, 3-inch Diameter – Cut the PVC pipe into three pieces. You will cut two vertical segments and one horizontal piece measured to fit your cage or hutch.
- (2) PVC Elbows: 3-inch Diameter, 90-Degree Elbow – The PVC elbows will connect the two vertical pieces of PVC to the horizontal piece.
- (2) PVC Caps: 3-inch Diameter – Putting a lid on the tops of the vertical pieces of the PVC pipe will keep mice and rain out of the feeder.
DIY Quail Feeder Step By Step
- Measure the vertical height of your hutch or cage.
- Before cutting the vertical PVC pipe to length, be sure to push a 90-degree elbow on the measured end. The overall vertical length of the pipe should include the added length of a 90-degree elbow and a cap on top.
- Use the saw to cut the pipe to length.
- Repeat steps 2-4 for the second vertical pipe. Pro-Tip: Clean out all your PVC pipes after sawing your pieces so there’s no PVC debris left in the pipes.
- Cut the horizontal part. This will be where the quail will feed. Decide how many holes you want and how wide will fit in your space (be sure your horizontal piece fits your space with the 90-dgree elbows connected). I needed an 8-inch piece of PVC pipe cut for the horizontal part.
- Connect the vertical and horizontal pieces with the 90-degree elbows.
- Draw a horizontal line on the horizontal piece of pipe. The line will help you to keep a straight line when drilling the holes. Pro-Tip: Your holes should be angled up at 45 degrees (between the top of the pipe and the side of the pipe). This will help against feed falling out when filling and while quail eat.
- Before drilling the holes, take the horizontal piece out of the elbows.
- Take a 1¼ inch hole saw and drill between 3 to 6 holes across the cut horizontal piece of pipe. Follow the drawn line to keep the holes straight.
- Put the horizontal piece back together with the holes, angled up at 45 degrees.
- I didn’t glue anything together, but you can glue it if it is not staying together.
- Now it’s time to zip tie the feeder onto the cage or hutch.
- Fill the feeder with feed, stand back, and watch the quail eat with less mess and waste. Pro-Tip: Use a funnel when pouring feed into the pipes to prevent overspill.
And there you have it! A simple DIY quail feeder that will help keep your quail’s food and waterer much cleaner without all the waste.
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