... Shame really, I was quite looking forward to tinkering with a bit of solar lighting. Maybe I'll illuminate the shed instead. Or be tempted by an incubator... Pottingshedder

the birds laying in dorset are in boring rabbit hutches and they lay all over the place, gives egg hunt new meaning lol. i just line with newspaper, shavings then straw on top.they sleep all over aswell not just in the cosy bed box. i do cover at if i remember.

Try not to worry about the cold, they're really much hardier than you think. Mine all ignore nest boxes too, and when we had snow back in march they were poking their heads out to try and reach as much as possible! They will lay whereever they happen to be when an egg comes (i've seen them walk alon...

I bought expensive houses for both my quail and ducks and both types of birds have refused to use their houses of their own accord. :lol: :lol: I just put a few old cardboard boxes on their side and toss some straw all over my aviary. My quail seem to prefer light shelters or sitting in the open (so...

Hi Emma, and everyone, Many thanks for your encouraging responses to a fumbling first timer. Actually I agree with Emma about not lighting to force laying all winter, but the quail look so cold with the frost on the ground around the run, even though I tuck them in under tarpaulin each ...

my young birds are laying now outside with no extra heat or light. dorset

I wouldn't bother with trying to provide any heating with solar panels (you'd need a lot of solar panels to provide enough heat for the ... cold weather as long as they are kept dry and away from the cold winds. Lighting with solar panels is feasible. My limited experience of lighting is ...

I have to agree with QTpie, i thought your blog was fantastic

<Keelan>

I love your blog! Welcome from the US

Welcome to the forum Pottingshedder. I know a few people on the forum have lighting systems set up for their birds so i'm sure someone will be along with a better answer. I don't mean to have a go (but its going to look like that as this is your first post!!) ...