I am joining a lease where you can train your dogs on for bird hunting west of Houston. They let you build coops there to train your dogs with so I am looking in to building a Johnny House big enough to hold 50 Quail in it. So far I have looked at how to build a good feeder, watering device, installing a predator proof recall door, making sun rooms and how to build a basic Johnny House. Does anybody have any tips for me on building a style of perch or raising them please. I have been reading up on some techniques on how to raise Quail Chicks but want to know how everyone does it down here. I am going to buy a brooder and raise them for awhile at home in our atrium before bringing them to the coop house. Planning on doing this in the next couple of months. Also looking in to getting night guards to put around the coop house to keep predators away. Any thoughts on if they work please? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ricky V.

I didn't use my Johnny house this year. I probably need to give it away. I have the feeders, and water jars. It wil load onto a pickup truck. I think I'm only around 20 miles from your lease. Let me give it a little more thought, and I'll get back to you.

I would like more info on the lease. I'm always looking for a place close to Houston to work with my dog. I usually end up at Top Flight or Rio Brazos. I have a one year old GSP and just put a deposit on a second GSP pup to be born next month. Please PM me the info if possible. Thanks.

I just took a guess, because the only place I'm aware of is where NSTRA holds it's Katy trials. NSTRA has no connection to the lease. They pay to participate.

I like pigeons way better . When I launch birds I want them to fly completely out of the training area so I know exactly what birds are planted where at all times

Just as my luck would have it, I was rear ended (more towards the rear quarter panel) yesterday while waiting at a stop light on the Katy Freeway service road and my Equinox was totaled. The lady hit me going over 50mph crossing over lanes while not paying attention. Now I have 3 broken ribs (while wearing my seat belt) and pretty banged up. If you do decide that you don't want it and can hold on to it for about a month or two once I can lift things then I would be glad to come and pick it up with a rented truck from Home Depot. I build fishing rods and have a pretty huge selection and would gladly give you a rod for a trade. Thank you very much for your offer.

Sincerely,

Ricky V.

As far as I know about the lease so far, it is a private lease and I will be the last person allowed on it as they are full. But when I get on the lease this week I would gladly invite you over so you can work your dogs for a day if you would like. Might be awhile since I was in a car accident yesterday and have 3 broken ribs and am banged up right now. I have to read the lease agreement and see the conditions of inviting a guest on the property but am sure it is fine since we were invited there for a day through a mutual friend who knows someone on the lease. I believe there is also a gentleman who rents out the use of his pigeons on the property so you wouldn't have to worry about bringing birds with you. I will get back to you by the end of next week to fill you in on everything through a PM. If I hear of a spot opening up on the lease then I will definitely let you know too. Congrats on your new GSP!!!

Sincerely,

Ricky V.

From what I was told by the gentleman who invited us through a mutual friend, there is a gentleman there who rents out the use of his pigeons on the property so I believe I will be covered for pigeons. For some reason my dog goes bonkers for Quail lol. She was introduced to them when she started training and when we lived in VA they were everywhere due to them being the states game bird. They had Bobwhite Quail everywhere where we lived in VA. My friends back in MA train their dogs on pigeons too. They get fast flight pigeons from a guy who raises them. Love watching them miss them all day with their shotguns lol! Thank you for the help.

Sincerely,

Ricky V.

I hope you get better soon. I was plowed into at a stop light many years ago. It's a helpless feeling seeing that person in your rearview mirror and not slowing down and traffic pouring through the intersection in front of you.

I will take you up on the offer to train together in the future. Let me know. And if you hear of anyone dropping off the lease I would be interested.

Thank you. I always seem to get hit from behind while sitting at a light. This is the 5th time in my life. 4 Times while living in MA and now once here. My Equinox was in mint condition and worth $37,000.00 when bought. It was the showroom model with the side step pipes all decked out and now the insurance company tells me they are going to give back half of that when I had less than a year to pay off the rest, low mileage and a lot put in to it!!! Someone is getting sued for the difference. Why should I get stuck having to buy a crappy car for being hit from behind is the way I see it. I loved that vehicle. Luckily we have a Chevy Cruze too so we are not stuck with a rental car. Hate those damn things. I am either going to get an extended cab Chevy truck with a custom cap on it or something comparable. They never slowed down so I never seen her coming a me. Stinks because I just had steroid shots in my back 9 days before it happened. They were working too and I finally felt like a million bucks. Plus I was supposed to start the NRA Gunsmithing school in OK in late may which will probably be out of the question now. Sorry for the rambling here. As soon as I get better and am on this lease I will be able to take you up there. Talked to my buddy today and he gave me the details. Once there is an opening I will definitely let you know through PM.

Thanks again,

Ricky V.

I generally agree, especially when training more than one dog. I like quail because I can be done with them after training season. I don't fly my quail out of the Johnny house. I put several in my bird bag and plant them.

I am planning on planting the birds under tip traps for my dog to find. Going to make the traps myself to save some money. Thanks.

This Johnny house is now free to a good home. I PMed Bowbuilder and never got a reply. There's no big rush, but I would like to have it removed by next season. All the equipment goes with it.