Building a Quail Recall Pen
After looking at several designs on the web and talking to Dave Walker about quail recall pens, we decided on this design. This is my friend Chris Colt of Cove Mountain Kennels helping me build the recall pen. The frame is out of 2×2 lumber and we screwed the joints together with 3″ exterior grade screws. The overall dimensions are about 36″ X 18″ X 72″. I had some 36″ tall 1/2″ X 1/2″ wire on hand or we would have built it 96 inches long.
We glued the joints and used 1″ screws and finish nails to apply the 1/2″ plywood back, top and sides. With the frame finished and the plywood on we wrapped the wire around the front half of the pen and stapled it with 1″ staples. We have a trap door on top for inserting food and water and the whole front end is a giant door for releasing the quail. We hope to attach a string-pull mechanism for lifting the release door.
We were pleased that the finished product was fairly light and easily lifted by two guys. It should be easy to move around with my Polaris Ranger or by tossing it in the back of the truck. We hope to build another pen just like and set them both in the training fields nearby. We added a perch inside the pen but the quail don’t seem to have any interest in using it. The cost for all the materials was less than $75 and it took us about 6 hours to build it. We will apply some paint or wood sealer before moving it outside to the training grounds.
How many birds will this recall pen hold?
Thanks,
Scott Clemens
sclemens1@suddenlink.net
I would like some plans. All that I’ve found so far are large structures that would be difficult to move and build. Yours looks more managable in both reguards. I’ve also read comments about the advantage of having two compartments for separating the sexes during breeding season and releaseing one sex at a time to prevent them pairing up and leaving the pen to nest. What is your opinion?
I would also like the plans. randyandmegs@gmail.com
Not sure about any plans since we kind of built it out of our head. It is based on the pens that were described to us by dog trainer Dave Walker in Idaho. We decided to make it small enough for 2 guys to easily move to new locations using my Polaris Ranger.
The quail recall pen is 72 inches long by 48 inches wide and 18 inches tall. One end has a full-size swing up door (18″ x 48″) for releasing the quail out the open end, on the reverse end a smaller flip-up door for access to the rear or covered portion and a top hatch door (12″x12″) for feed and water. The entire thing was framed with 2×2 fir strips screwed and glued together. Once the entire frame was together we stapled in the wire floor. Next we attached the 1/2″ plywood top, back and sides to provide a covered portion for shelter from wind and rain. Then we applied the 1/4″ welded wire to the top and sides of the open end of the recall pen. Last we cut out and assembled the doors from the remaining 1/2″ plywood. We painted the entire pen to help it last out in the weather. The quail recall funnel was purchased online from gundogsupply.com
Looks like a nice holding trap could i have some plans, Louie
great design, but what are the dem. of the funnel?
I would like to obtain a copy of your plans if possible.
I Would Also Like Some Plans For The Pen……
emertfarms@gmail.com