Description
This on-ground quail coop design lets you safely house your own quail for egg laying, meat, or breeding, right in your own backyard. The Quail Pod can sit just about anywhere in your yard — or on a patio, deck, terrace, driveway, or pad of pavers.
Key features of The Quail Pod ground coop design:
- Keep around 8–12 quail — or more (see FAQs)
- Measures about 72″w x 26″d x 29″h (1.8 x 0.66 x 0.75 m), outer dimensions at roof. The cage itself (inside) is about 61”w x 20”d x 15”h (1550 x 510 x 380 mm) giving 8.5 sq. ft. of area (0.79 sq. meters).
- Ample ventilation and light
- Secure all around from predators and pests
- Deep litter for less odor — and rich compost!
- Low-height cage prevents quail from injuring themselves when startled
- Jump guard helps keep quail in when you open the lid
- Easy to customize or build multiple
- Built with pride. . . by you!
About The Quail Pod coop plans:
- Instant download
- 34 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
Secure on-ground design for keeping quail.
The Quail Pod consists of a single cage set atop a raised bed of deep litter. This lets the quail live directly on the ground where they feel safe and comfortable and where they can scratch, dust bathe, and socialize.
A lockable lid hinges opens so you can tend to the quail and gather eggs. There’s even a protective screen that helps keep your quail from flying off as you do. And the entire coop is secured top to sides to bottom with hardware cloth, so your flock is protected from pests and predators.
Everything you want in a backyard quail coop. Every step explained.
We designed The Quail Pod 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 ground pen at an affordable do-it-yourself price.
We’ve done the thinking and testing for you, so you can enjoy building and personalizing the coop to work for you.
Explore The Quail Pod ground pen design.
The Quail Pod is made from standard dimensional lumber/timber. You can place it directly on gravel, mulch, grass or dirt — or on a deck, terrace, or driveway or on level pavers/pier blocks. A corrugated polycarbonate roof protects your flock from rain, snow, heat, and UV.
The open design lets in light and air to help keep your flock healthy and happy. Vertical studs provide a shady area, and there are several options for where to place a waterer, feeder, leafy branches, and hidey holes.
Because the design lets you keep quail on deep litter, the coop is remarkably easy to keep clean and odor free. Every now and then, just reach in from above to add, stir, or remove litter to keep the carbon-to-nitrogen balance right. You can add a sandbox for them to play in or little places for them to cozy up and relax.
One of the advantages of quail is how little space they require. Another is that many jurisdictions do not prohibit quail roosters, as their crowing is much quieter than chickens’. So you can get fertilized eggs and incubate those to grow your flock.
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, raise it higher, make it a tractor, build multiple as your flock grows — these are just some of the ways you can build upon the foundation of these backyard quail pen plans.
While this is not the only style of coop for keeping quail (see our Quail Hutch stacked quail coop design here), it’s an efficient, flexible way to incorporate these amazing little birds into your backyard garden.
What will you create?
Frequently Asked Questions
How skilled do I need to be to build this on-ground quail pen?
The plans are written for beginners, so if you’ve used a circular saw and a cordless drill before, you can build this quail coop. Even if you haven’t, it’s an easy enough project to learn on.
All the cuts are simple and straight. All the joinery is explained in the plans. There is some cutting 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 Pod design?
Estimate $275–$340. Prices will differ by region and by store. If you get what’s on The Quail Pod materials list new at 2026 Home Depot prices, you’ll pay around $300 USD pre-tax (up $10 from 2025).
Here’s the approximate (January 2026) cost breakdown by category, in USD:
- Lumber: $55
- Hardware: $105 (we do not yet offer an optional Quick Kit for this design)
- Roofing: $35
- Hardware cloth: $35
- Wood treatment, paint, or sealer of your choice: around $45
- Miscellaneous (net/screen material, lid stay, etc.): around $25
- Accessories (feeder, waterer, 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.
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.
How long does it take to build The Quail Pod?
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 Pod in a couple of days. Help from a friend might speed things along (or slow you down, depending on the friend lol). 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 Pod on-ground quail pen 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 (or chop saw or miter saw)
- power drill/driver, with various bits
- clamps (2) with at least a 6″ (150 mm) capacity
- wire/metal snips that can handle 19-gauge wire or heavier
- pair of sawhorses
- hammer
- tape measurer
- pencils
- sanding block and sandpaper, or a power sander
- paintbrush
- dropcloth
- personal protective gear: work gloves, eye & ear protection, dust mask/respirator, work boots, etc.
Optional:
- handsaw
- combination square or speed square
- shovel and rake
What are the approximate dimensions of The Quail Pod design?
- Height (roof peak to ground): about 29″ (0.75 m)
- Width (at base/at roof): about 64″ (1.6 m) / 72″ (1.8 m)
- Depth (at base/at roof): about 23″ (0.58 m) / 26″ (0.66 m)
- Cage (inside): about 61″w x 20″d x 15″h (1550 x 510 x 380 mm). Area: 8.5 sq. ft. (0.79 sq. meters).
How many quail will The Quail Pod house?
The Quail Pod will comfortably house about 8–12 quail — or more, depending on the flock, breed, hen/roo ratio, and purpose. For instance, if you’re brooding quail, they’ll be smaller. If you’re raising them for meat, they won’t be sharing the space for as long. If your quail are fine with more company, then you can fit more.
General recommendations range from 0.5–1.0 square foot per bird. See the dimensions of The Quail Pod in the previous FAQ and calculate from there. If you need more space, you can always just build another one!
Is The Quail Pod suitable for cold climates? Hot climates?
Yes. Like all birds, quail need proper ventilation and protection from the elements year round, and The Quail Pod provides this. The coop is ventilated on all sides and (somewhat) from above. Provide lots of shade in the summer. Add some extra wind protection in the winter. 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 Pod is completely enclosed with 1/2-inch (13 mm) hardware cloth to keep these pests and predators out.
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 a lockable latch (and lock or carabiner) on the lid.
How does the deep litter in this coop design help manage the quails' poop?
Quail require a fairly high protein feed, and they poop a lot. Domesticated quail are commonly housed in coops with wire floors to help manage these droppings. Another way to do this is to keep quail on deep litter. The Quail Pod is designed for this.
Deep litter starts with several inches of pine shavings, sawdust, hemp, or other carbon-rich bedding. As the birds poop, their nitrogen-rich manure mixes with the bedding and starts to compost. Add bedding as needed, and over time this mixture creates a deep litter that can eventually serve as a rich compost in your garden.
Deep litter keeps odor down and saves you time. All you have to do is keep it mixed and moist — and add fresh carbon when the nitrogen gets too high. The plans include instructions and tips on how to do it right, but suffice it to say, it’s really easy to do.
Is this on-ground 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 this coop as a brooder for quail chicks. Quail chicks are really small. They need warmth (from a heat lamp), water, food, and nooks to hide and hang out in (but not get stuck in).
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 on how to set something up.
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 includes a complete cut list.
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 backyard quail coop 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 Pod 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.
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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.
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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.
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The Quail Pod Ground Coop Plans
The extent of my construction knowledge is how to hang photos on the wall, so this was quite a project for me! I decided I wanted this to be my first solo project with no help from my husband. The plans were so easy to follow! I sincerely appreciated that I was able to find every single product at Home Depot with no assistance from an employee. The instructions were so clear! I’m extremely proud of how this came out! My quail just came out of the incubator so they haven’t checked out their new home yet, but I’m sure they’re going to love it! I went with expensive cedar for everything so my total came out closer to $400. I want it to last, so it was worth it to me. My husband has a well-stocked shop so I didn’t have to buy any tools, only the building materials. It obviously would’ve been more expensive if I had needed to buy tools. I also followed your instructions for a water bucket. I’m already considering modifying it to add an additional run with your extension plans. Thank you guys!