Description
This innovative design lets you raise your own quail for eggs or meat right at home. The Quail Hutch is sized to fit just about anywhere. Set it on your patio, terrace, driveway, or deck — or integrate it right into your garden.
Key features of The Quail Hutch quail coop design:
- Keep up to 16 quail for egg laying or breeding — or more if you’re raising for meat
- Measures about 6’w x 4’d x 6.5’h (1.9 x 1.2 x 2 m), outer dimensions at roof. Each cage is about 4’w x 2′ d x 1.5′ (1.1 x .6 x 4.6 m): 7.4 sq ft (0.69 sq meter).
- Two stacked cages let you keep separate flocks
- Wire floor slants forward for easy egg collection
- Poop trays beneath each cage for quick cleanup (and rich compost!)
- Low-height cage tops prevent quail from injuring themselves when startled
- Ample ventilation and light
- Know your flock is safe all around from predators and pests
- Highly customizable
- Hardware Quick Kit available (U.S. only)
- Built with pride. . . by you!
About The Quail Hutch quail coop plans:
- Instant download
- 45 pages of illustrations, photos, and step-by-step instructions
- Written for beginners, with simple cuts and techniques
- Includes full tool and material lists
- Features details and construction tips based on years of customer feedback
- Includes both U.S. (feet/inches) and metric units (millimeters)
- Plan language(s): English
- Compatible with iPad and other PDF-friendly mobile devices
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- Click here for a free plan preview
Efficient, stacked coop design for keeping quail.
The Quail Hutch consists of two separate quail cages, one stacked above the other, each with its own run and cubby areas.Both cages are positioned at a comfortable height for access and cleaning, and everything is within reach from the doors at the front.
The small opening between the enclosed cubby and the open-air run side of each cage is always open, or you can add a closeable door.
The hardware cloth floors keep your birds secure while allowing poop to fall through into collection trays beneath each cage. And because the floors are angled forward, the quails’ eggs roll gently into a collection trough at the front. Just lift the lid and collect the eggs!
Everything you want in a backyard quail coop. Every step explained.
We designed The Quail Hutch so that you could build it with easily accessible materials. And the plans show you how to make the most of them. Our detailed instructions spell out exactly what you need to buy or borrow and exactly what to do with it. So you get an attractive, professional-looking coop at an affordable do-it-yourself price.
Explore The Quail Hutch coop design.
The Quail Hutch is made from standard dimensional lumber/timber. You can place it on a deck, terrace, or driveway or on level pavers/pier blocks and anchor as needed. The corrugated roof protects your flock from rain, snow, heat, and UV. And because the roof it raised above the upper cage, you have a dry place to set tools and other items.
The Quail Hutch’s open design lets in light and air to help keep your flock healthy and happy. There’s also a more enclosed cubby space for your quail to retreat to. There’s room inside for a feeder, waterer, and a dust bathing tray if you’d like to add one. One of the advantages of quail is how little space they require.
The plans also describe how to build a slanted floor. So if you’re raising quail for eggs, their eggs will roll forward for easy daily collection. Their droppings fall through the wire floor into a poop tray or compost pile/bin.
The inside of the cages are easy to keep clean. Every now and then, just scrape the floor clean. We use a long-handled plastic windshield scraper. You can add a tray for dust bathing (in either the run or cubby side) and fill it with sand or fine pine shavings. (Note, they will likely lay their eggs in the tray if you provide one.)
Many jurisdictions do not prohibit quail roosters, as their crowing is much quieter than chickens’. So you can get fertilized eggs and incubate those — whether you’re raising quail to provide you with eggs and/or meat.
Make it your own.
The best thing about building your own quail coop — you can modify it however you’d like! Paint it your favorite colors, reuse salvaged materials, add a small gutter to collect rainwater, attach a rack for tools, add vents, convert the upper cage to storage — these are just some of the ways you can build upon the foundation of these plans.
What will you create?
Frequently Asked Questions
How skilled do I need to be at building to build these quail cages?
The plans are written for beginners, so if you’ve at least used a circular saw and a cordless drill before, you can build this coop. That said, given the scope of the project, it would help if you or a building partner had some DIY building experience already, otherwise, you could get frustrated at points along the way, and that’s no fun.
If you work patiently and safely, you should have no problem. All the cuts are simple and straight. All the joinery is explained in the plans. There is some digging involved, and some wrestling with rolls of hardware cloth, but you won’t need any special skills there, just maybe that extra pair of (gloved) hands.
How much do the materials cost to build The Quail Hutch design?
Estimate $500–$600. Prices will differ by region and by store. If you get what’s on The Quail Hutch materials list new at 2026 Home Depot prices, you’ll pay around $575 USD pre-tax (up $25 from 2025).
Here’s the approximate (January 2026) cost breakdown by category, in USD:
- Lumber, plywood, and siding: $260
- Hardware: $130 (see our optional Quick Kit to save on this)
- Roofing: $60
- Hardware cloth: $20
- Wood treatment, paint, or sealer of your choice: around $80
- Miscellaneous (cinder blocks, gravel, caulk, etc.): around $25
- Accessories (poop trays, feeder, waterers, etc.): varies
There are ways to save on — or add to — this cost. You might already have materials you can recycle from other projects or from neighbors. Also see our Buyer’s Guide for links to some of the items you might need.
We also offer a Hardware Quick Kit for The Quail Hutch (U.S. only) that includes all the hardware you need to build the coop — basically, it’s everything except the bulky stuff (wood, hardware cloth, roofing, paint, pier blocks, etc.). It’s priced competitively with what you’ll find locally, but it’s pre-shopped and pre-packed in one easy box. It also ships free with no sales tax added.
What will save you money on your quail coop for sure is having a clear idea of what you’re building and not overbuying, mis-measuring, wasting time, or making costly mistakes. A solid plan will help you with that.
If you work patiently and safely, you should have no problem. All the cuts are simple and straight. All the joinery is explained in the plans. There is some digging involved, and some wrestling with rolls of hardware cloth, but you won’t need any special skills there, just maybe that extra pair of (gloved) hands.
How long does it take to build The Quail Hutch?
If you’ve read through the plan, have your materials together, and allow time for treating or sealing the wood, you could build The Quail Hutch in two to three days. That’s if you stay busy and are working mostly alone. Help from a friend or two should speed things along. Of course, factor in extra time for any changes or additions you make to the design. As with any project worth doing, hopefully you’ll learn some things as you go along!
What tools will I need to build this quail coop?
We designed The Quail Hutch raised-cage coop and plan for someone with beginner skills. The cuts are all straightforward, and the tools are pretty common ones that you likely either have or can easily borrow or buy. Here’s the list from the plan:
- circular saw (you may prefer a miter saw for crosscuts and a table saw for cutting siding, if you have access to these as well)
- power drill/driver, with various bits
- tape measurer
- level
- pencils
- pair of sawhorses
- handsaw
- hammer
- pliers (optional)
- combination square or speed square (optional)
- clamps (2) with at least a 6″ (150 mm) capacity
- wire/metal snips that can handle 19-gauge wire or heavier
- shovel (optional)
- bow rake (optional)
- step ladder
- sanding block and sandpaper, or a power sander
- paintbrush
- dropcloth
- personal protective gear: work gloves, eye & ear protection, dust mask/respirator, work boots, etc.
What are the approximate dimensions of The Quail Hutch design?
- Height (roof peak to ground): about 78″ (2 m)
- Width (at base/at roof): about 54″ (1.4 m) / 74″ (1.9 m)
- Depth (at base/at roof): about 31″ (0.8 m) / 48″ (1.2 m)
- Cage total (inside): about 44″w x 24″d x 18″h (1120 x 610 x 460 mm). Area: 7.4 sq. ft. (0.69 sq. meters).
- Cubby: about 16″w x 24″d x 18″h (405 x 610 x 460 mm). Area: 2.7 sq. ft. (0.25 sq. meters).
- Run: about 28″w x 24″d x 18″h (710 x 610 x 460 mm). Area: 4.7 sq. ft. (0.44 sq. meters).
How many quail will The Quail Hutch house?
The Quail Hutch will house up to 16 quail, if you’re keeping them for egg laying or breeding. If you’re raising them for meat, they won’t be sharing the space for as long, and you can fit more.
Is The Quail Hutch suitable for cold climates? Hot climates?
Yes. Like all birds, quail need proper ventilation and protection from the elements year round, and The Quail Hutch provides this. The cages are ventilated at the front and via the wire floor. And it’s easy (and advisable) to add ventilation to the sides in hotter climates/seasons. Quail are fairly cold hardy, but make sure to do your research and find out what others in your area are doing.
How safe are the quail from rodents and predators?
The predators and pests you have to deal with will vary, but let’s stick with two for now: rodents and raccoons. Rodents will look for any hole to crawl through to get to the quails’ food, and they can squeeze their bodies really small to do it.
The Quail Hutch is completely enclosed with plywood and 1/2-inch (13 mm) hardware cloth. Anything wider, like poultry netting or rabbit fencing, will not keep rodents out. Anything smaller, like 1/4-inch, could be too brittle to deter predators and would not work to let droppings pass through.
Raccoons and foxes will push, pry, and even undo a latch to try to get into your coop. They don’t want your quails’ food; they want your quail. That’s why it’s important to staple the hardware cloth properly and to use the lockable latches on the access door and the egg door. You can also anchor the coop with L-brackets or an auger anchor kit.
How about cleaning the poop trays on this coop?
Quail require a fairly high protein feed, and they poop a lot. So you want to tend to their droppings daily. What we do is start with a layer of pine shavings on the poop trays, then sprinkle more on top each day for a few days (you can do this from above the floor and let it fall through). We also sprinkle on Sweet PDZ (zeolite) to help absorb moisture and odors. When the trays are full, we dump/scrape them into a compost pile and start the process over.
Is the coop suitable for raising baby quail chicks also? Can I use it as a brooder?
If the weather is good enough, and/or you can provide ample warmth with a heat lamp, you may be to use one or both of the cages as a brooder for quail chicks. Quail chicks are really small. They need warmth (from a heat lamp), water, food, and a solid surface over at least part of the wire floor. Also make sure they have room to get away from the heat of the bulb. That’s how they regulate their temperature. If they’re cold, they’ll move closer. If they’re too warm, they scoot farther away. You can search for “quail brooders” online to get some more ideas.
Can I get the lumber or plywood for this coop design pre-cut at my local hardware store, Lowes, Menard's, or Home Depot?
In my experience, the cuts a hardware store will make for you are often not the most precise. That said, you can certainly get the store to make some cuts for you so that your materials will fit in your vehicle. The plan indicates where it’s safe to cut the plywood for transport.
Can you send me printed plans instead of the ebook (PDF file)?
We only offer our plans as ebooks in the PDF format. This lets us get them out quickly and neatly, and it keep costs down for everyone. Past customers whose computer setups were not ideal have said they forwarded the file to a friend or relative to view and print. The promise of fresh eggs goes a long way!
Will these quail hutch plans work on my iPad or other mobile device?
Yes. Because our coop plan ebooks come as PDF files, they’re fully compatible with the iPad and any other PDF-friendly tablets and mobile devices.
Is there a metric version of this quail coop plan? And do you accept international orders?
Yes to both! The Quail Hutch plan is universal, actually, so it includes both U.S. and metric materials lists as well as U.S. and metric measurements throughout. So whether you work in feet/inches or millimeters (or a combination of the two), this plan has you covered.
You can purchase your plans using most international currencies and credit cards.
Ordering & Delivery
PLEASE READ: Disclaimer, waivers, permissions
It is your responsibility to make sure that any project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation. The information and plans offered on this site are offered AS IS for information and entertainment purposes only.
The Garden Coop LLC makes no warranties or representations of any kind concerning the accuracy, suitability, or safety of the information contained on the site or in the plans. By using the information or ordering the plans you expressly acknowledge having read and understood this disclaimer and the waivers contained in it, and you agree to hold The Garden Coop LLC, its owners, employees, and agents or anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of this site or the plans harmless from any damages or injuries of any kind to you or any person that might result from your use of or reliance upon the information or from any errors, omissions, or other causes.
Uses and permissions
Unless otherwise noted, The Garden Coop LLC is the legal copyright holder of the content on this website and in the plans. Content is intended solely for the use of the purchaser, and may be printed for personal use only.
No images or content from this website or the plans may be published, resold, shared, or distributed without written consent from the copyright holder.
Keep in mind that we’ve priced the plans for personal use only. If you’d like to build our designs to sell, please contact John, the designer, directly. If you feature a coop or run built with one of our designs (even if modified) online or in other marketing materials, please use your own photography, credit the design as “Built using design plans from TheGardenCoop.com,” and link to the web address (TheGardenCoop.com).
Thanks! And contact John with any questions.
Delivery of instant downloads (e.g., coop plans)
Once your payment is processed, you should be taken to a “thank you” page that has a secure download link to your plans. You will also receive an automated email from us containing your download link(s). Click on the download link and save your plans to a memorable location on your computer or device.
Delivery of tangible goods (e.g., kits and waterers)
We ship our chicken coop hardware kits via USPS Priority Mail. Please allow 1–2 days for processing and 2–3 days for delivery.
We ship poultry nipples, brooder bottles, veggie feeders, and coloring books via USPS First Class. Please allow 1–2 business days for processing and 2–3 days for delivery.
We ship bucket nipple waterers via USPS Parcel Select or Priority Mail depending on cost, which varies by destination. Please allow 1–2 business days for processing, 5–7 days for Parcel Select, and 2–3 days for Priority delivery.
International orders will incur additional fees, and delivery times will vary based on destination and carrier.
For linked items purchased through other sites (e.g., Amazon), the shipping timelines and policies of that site/marketplace apply.
Satisfaction guarantee / Refunds and returns
We want you to have the best coop and products for you and your chickens.
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, let us know within 30 days, and we will arrange a return and refund.
For digital downloads (e.g., coop plans), email to let us know that you would like a refund, and we’ll send instructions.
For kits, waterers, and other tangible items, please open and inspect your items right away! In the event that your item arrives with parts missing or damaged, you must let us know by email within seven (7) business days of receipt. In the case of damage, attach a photo to your email clearly showing the extent of the damage, if possible. We’ll make it right or arrange a refund.
You may return items to us in new, complete condition within 30 days of purchase for a refund of the purchase price, less our initial shipping costs. You will not be charged a re-stocking fee, but you are responsible for return shipping costs.
Email us first to let us know that you’d like to make a return, and we’ll send you further instructions. We’ll issue your refund once we’ve received your item.
For linked items purchased through other sites (e.g., Amazon), the return policies of that site/marketplace apply.
Privacy
Build safe and have fun!
Make sure to follow all manufacturers’ instructions when using tools, materials, or equipment — and use the appropriate protective devices when building, such as work gloves, eye and ear protection, boots, etc. Secure your work as you build. Know what you can handle physically as well, and work within your limits.
Remember, do-it-yourself doesn’t have to mean all by yourself. Share the fun of building with your friends, family, and neighbors!
Other questions?
Please email us.
6 reviews for The Quail Hutch Backyard Quail Coop Plans
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Customer Images
The Quail Hutch Backyard Quail Coop Plans
My husband and I bought the plans and pretty much followed them exactly. We just did a couple modifications. It was well worth the $ to buy the plans. And I am very happy with the completed coop!
The plans are well written and easy to follow. My coop turned out great and we are excited to start this new adventure! Thank you so much!
Easy to follow plans. I modified to make only 1 hutch. Company was fast to respond to some questions I had.
The hutch turned out great! The plans are thorough and easy to understand. I made a few changes for the Texas heat and to lighten up the weight.
I only added siding to one side and the back, and I used hardware cloth for the rest. Thank you for the awesome plans!
The plans were well written and easy to understand. If you don’t have woodworking skills you’d still be able to pull off this build. That having been said, I didn’t end up using this design. The cost of materials right now would have made for a crazy expensive coop, so I opted to use my skills and create my own design. I was able to get more space for about half the cost. Granted it’s not as stylish as this design, but I was going more for affordable function than form. But I can’t fault the design itself, so if the potential materials cost doesn’t bother you then it’s worth it.