6 Best Quail Nesting Boxes for Large Flocks

You walk out to the aviary and see it: a beautiful cream-colored egg, sitting right in the middle of a fresh dropping. A few feet away, another is half-buried in the dusty corner where the quail have been bathing. This daily egg hunt is the frustrating reality for many quail keepers, turning a rewarding hobby into a time-consuming chore.

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Solving Egg Scatter with Proper Nesting Boxes

Quail are notorious for laying eggs absolutely everywhere. Unlike chickens, they don’t have a strong instinct to seek out a specific nest. This "egg scatter" leads to dirty, cracked, or lost eggs, making collection a real headache.

The goal of a nesting box is to offer a space so appealing that the quail chooses to lay there. For ground-dwelling birds like quail, this means creating an environment that feels safe and secluded. They are looking for a low, dark, covered spot where they feel protected from predators, even if the only predator is your hand reaching in to collect eggs.

A common mistake is using a chicken nesting box. These are typically too high off the ground and too large, feeling exposed and unnatural to a small quail. The best quail boxes are low-profile, easily accessible from the floor, and just big enough for a bird or two to feel snug. Success isn’t about forcing a behavior, but about out-competing all the other "good enough" spots in the coop with one that is clearly superior from a quail’s perspective.

The Quail-Haven Rollout Nest for Clean Eggs

The rollout nest is a game-changer for anyone tired of washing eggs. These boxes are designed with a slightly sloped floor, often made of wire mesh or durable plastic. After a hen lays her egg, it gently rolls forward or backward into a protected collection tray, safely away from foot traffic and droppings.

This design solves two major problems at once: cleanliness and breakage. The egg is immediately separated from the hen and the nesting material, so it stays pristine. It’s also protected from being pecked at by curious flock mates or accidentally trampled. This drastically reduces your daily workload and improves the quality of the eggs you collect.

The main tradeoff is the less "natural" feel of the materials, which can sometimes deter picky hens. Some birds may hesitate to lay on a wire or plastic floor, though a thin layer of bedding can help with the transition. These units are also typically more expensive than simple wooden boxes, but for many, the time saved and the reduction in lost eggs is well worth the initial investment.

Brower 10-Hole Quail Nest for Flock Laying

For a larger covey, a community-style nest box like the Brower 10-Hole model is incredibly efficient. It provides numerous small, private compartments in a single, space-saving unit. This setup taps into the quail’s natural tendency to lay in the same general area as their flock mates, creating a popular "laying zone."

Having multiple holes reduces competition and stress. If one spot is occupied, a hen can easily move to the next one over without conflict. This prevents birds from getting egg-bound due to stress or being forced to lay in an undesirable location because all the "good" spots are taken. It’s a simple solution for maintaining peace in a bustling flock.

The primary consideration is that these are not rollout nests. You’ll need to collect eggs frequently to prevent them from getting dirty or broken. Because the compartments are popular, they also need to be checked and cleaned regularly to keep the bedding fresh and inviting for the hens.

Farm-Tuff Galvanized Steel Community Nest Box

When durability and sanitation are your top priorities, galvanized steel is hard to beat. A metal community box is built to last for years, withstanding the pecking, scratching, and moisture that would degrade a wooden box over time. They are incredibly easy to clean—just pull out the bedding and you can scrub, rinse, and sanitize the entire unit.

This non-porous surface offers a significant advantage in parasite control. Mites and lice have nowhere to hide and burrow, unlike the cracks and crevices of a wooden box. For anyone who has fought a mite infestation, this feature alone makes metal a compelling choice.

Of course, metal has its downsides. It offers poor insulation, so it can become cold to the touch in the winter and potentially hot in the summer if placed in direct sunlight. Using a deep, insulating bedding like chopped straw or pine shavings is essential to keep the birds comfortable. The material can also be noisy, which might startle birds initially, but it’s something they quickly get used to.

Egg-Cessible Front Rollout Box with Privacy Flap

One of the most effective features for encouraging nest use is a simple privacy flap. This is typically a strip of canvas, rubber, or plastic that hangs over the entrance to the nesting box. It creates the dark, cave-like environment that prey animals like quail instinctively seek out for laying.

This small addition can make a huge difference in adoption rates. A box that was previously ignored can become the most popular spot in the coop with the simple addition of a curtain. It signals "safety" and "seclusion" in a way an open-front box just can’t.

The only real challenge is the initial introduction. You may need to pin the flap up for a day or two to let the quail discover the space inside. Once they realize it’s a safe spot, they will have no trouble pushing past the curtain. It’s a simple, low-cost modification that dramatically improves a nest box’s appeal.

Duncan’s Poultry Linkable Nesting Box System

Hobby farms grow and shrink. A linkable or modular nesting box system offers unmatched flexibility. Instead of buying a large, permanent unit, you can start with one or two boxes and simply add more as your flock expands.

This approach is perfect for managing costs and space. You only buy what you need, when you need it. If you decide to downsize your flock or separate birds into different breeding groups, you can easily reconfigure the system to match your new setup. It adapts to your farm, not the other way around.

The main thing to watch for is the quality of the connection points. Cheaper models can have flimsy links that break or create gaps where droppings and debris can accumulate. A well-designed system will lock together securely, forming a sturdy and easy-to-clean bank of nests.

The Covey Coop Natural Wood Low-Profile Box

There’s something to be said for the classic simplicity of a wooden box. Wood is a natural insulator, staying cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than metal or plastic. Many keepers find their birds take to wooden boxes more readily, as the texture and feel are more akin to a natural nesting site.

The key is the low-profile design. A good quail box should be no more than a few inches off the ground, or better yet, sitting directly on the floor. Quail are not climbers or jumpers; they want to walk right in. A simple, three-sided wooden box with an open front and a low roof, placed in a quiet corner of the coop, is often all it takes.

The fundamental tradeoff with wood is sanitation. It’s porous, absorbs moisture, and can be a haven for parasites if not managed well. You’ll need to be diligent about keeping the bedding clean and dry, and you should plan on deep-cleaning and sanitizing the boxes with a poultry-safe solution between seasons.

Best Bedding Choices for Quail Nesting Boxes

The perfect nesting box is useless without the right bedding. The material you choose should be soft, absorbent, and safe for the birds. It’s the final touch that makes a box feel like a nest.

Here are the top choices and their considerations:

• Large Flake Pine Shavings: Excellent choice. They are highly absorbent, soft, and the natural pine scent helps control odor. Crucially, avoid fine sawdust, which can cause respiratory problems.
• Chopped Straw: Provides fantastic cushioning and a very natural feel that quail love. It’s less absorbent than shavings, so it must be changed more frequently to prevent mold and mildew, especially in damp climates.
• Sand: A clean, dry sand can work well. It’s easy for birds to shape into a comfortable hollow. However, it offers zero cushioning, so eggs are more likely to crack if they’re laid with any force.

Ultimately, the best bedding is clean bedding. No matter what you choose, it needs to be replaced as soon as it becomes soiled or damp. A clean, dry, and comfortable nest is the number one reason a quail will return to the same spot to lay day after day.

Choosing the right nesting box is less about finding a single "best" product and more about understanding your flock’s needs and your own management style. By providing a safe, dark, and comfortable option, you can finally end the daily egg hunt. This small investment of time and resources pays off with cleaner eggs, less waste, and a healthier, happier flock.