Stilly PM me with any questions you have about mountain quail, I will be glad to help out. If you are ever on the Kitsap Peninsula get a hold of me and I will show you my set up and how I do things. It is a lot faster to look at and discuss than I can type for sure. A few things to think about are:
*breeder pens, will you do pairs or colonies, I have done both and had decent luck with both but the pens need to be much bigger for the colony style. (general note for all birds the bigger the pen the better). If possible cover some of the pen and have some open to the elements, a little rain is good for their feathers. On the wet side I would recommend off the ground wire pens, as too much wet dirt brings in parasites you do not want. I have some ground pens but they have a lot of sand in them and drain very well, I still do not keep quail in them over the winter.
*brooder is a tough place for them too as the chicks are very cannibalistic, they like to eat the other chicks toes. We have gone to using the yellow bug lights and usually peat moss on the floor for them. Constant fresh (high protein gamebird starter) food and water is a must, we also add hard boiled eggs and meal worms, as well as fresh grass/weeds for them to pick at.
* a large grow out pen will be a big part of your success as well (this would be a good place for the ground pen, but it must be predator proof).
There is plenty more to discuss as you get closer just let me know where you are in the process and any questions you have. There really is no better quail to raise, they are tough to get going but well worth it. If I think about it I will post a few pictures of some of mine on this thread.
