We Compared 6 Quail Cages on Whether the Floor Slopes
Quail walk on their own eggs unless the floor slopes. We compared six quail cages on egg roll-out, tier count, droppings trays and cleaning, from $66.98 to $599.99.
By Marta Voss Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek
Fact checked by Sam Reddick
Published Prices and stock checked 7 min read
Quail do not use nest boxes. They lay wherever they happen to be standing, usually early in the morning, and then they walk over what they have laid. On a flat floor that means cracked shells, muck ground into the surface and, once a bird gets a taste for it, eggs eaten before you reach the cage.
A floor that slopes fixes all of it at once. The egg rolls forward, out of the birds' reach, into a tray at the front. You collect clean whole eggs without opening the cage. This is the specification that decides the category, and it is the one buyers skip, because listings put bird capacity and tier count in the title and bury the floor slope in the details.
Four of the six cages here have it. Two do not. We also work through cost per layer, because the jump between the Cimuka sizes is not priced the way you would expect, and through the droppings trays, which turn out to be the real chore in quail keeping.
Our picks at a glance
Every product below wins one specific situation. Pick the row that matches your flock, your yard and your budget rather than reading top to bottom.
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Best Overall
Cimuka 2-Section
Anyone starting with quail who wants clean whole eggs from the first week without paying for a multi-layer rack.
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Best for Reaching Every Layer Without a Stool
Cimuka 3-Layer
Keepers running a proper laying covey who want every layer reachable without climbing on anything.
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Best If You Need to Roll the Rack Outside
Cimuka 4-Layer
Anyone with a garage or barn who wants the maximum number of sections and the ability to wheel the rack out to clean it.
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Best for a Low Bench or Shelf
Cimuka 2-Layer
Keepers with a specific height limit, such as a bench under a window or a shelf, who still want a stacked plastic cage.
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Best for Storing Feed Underneath
GDLF 2-Tier Wooden
Keepers housing quail in a living space or a tidy garage who want the feed stored under the cage and can live with hand-collecting eggs.
Check price on Amazon for GDLF Wooden Quail Cage Indoor, 2-Tier Quail Coop with Pull-Out Trays on AmazonAbout $200 checked Aug 8, 2026
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Best Budget Outdoor Pen
Kecreque A-Frame
Anyone who wants quail outdoors on a small budget and is willing to hand-collect eggs and scrape rather than pull a tray.
Compare every pick side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see every column on a phone.
| Product | Award | Price band | Capacity | Material | Tiers And Sections | Egg Collection | Cleaning | Best use case | Buy link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cimuka 2-Section | Best Overall | $120 to $250 | Up to 6 large or 10 small quail | PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free | 1 layer, 2 sections, removable middle wall | Sloped egg trays roll eggs forward to the front | Power-washable, parts remove for washing | Anyone starting with quail who wants clean whole eggs from the first week… | Check price for Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor – 2 Section Coop, Easy Clean, Rust-Free PP Plastic, Removable Middle Wall, Comfortplast™ Design for Breeding & Egg Collection by Cimuka on Amazon |
| Cimuka 3-Layer | Best for Reaching Every Layer Without a Stool | $250 to $500 | Up to 45 quail, each full layer equals 3 sections | PP plastic, rust-free, no wood rot or metal rust | 3 stackable layers, 3 sections per layer, removable dividers | Roll-out egg tray on every layer, sloped floor | Extended removable waste tray per layer, fully power-washable | Keepers running a proper laying covey who want every layer reachable with… | Check price for Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor - 3 Layer Stackable Coops, Quail Pens for Egg Laying, Easy Clean Bird Cage, Rust-Free, Removable Walls, Waste Trays & Egg Roll-Out System by Cimuka on Amazon |
| Cimuka 4-Layer | Best If You Need to Roll the Rack Outside | $500 to $1,000 | Up to 45 quail, maker suggests 3 large or up to 5 small quail per section | PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free, no rust, rot or corrosion | 4 stackable layers on a wheeled frame, 3 sections per layer, 8 adjustable middle walls | Egg roll-out tray on every layer guides eggs forward | Removable droppings tray under each layer, extended to cut feed loss, smooth non-stick surfaces rinse and dry quickly | Anyone with a garage or barn who wants the maximum number of sections and… | Check price for Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor - 4 Layer Stackable Quail Coop, Easy Clean, Rust-Free, Egg Roll-Out Tray, Power-Washable PP Plastic Quail Pens with Frame & Wheels, Comfortplast by Cimuka on Amazon |
| Cimuka 2-Layer | Best for a Low Bench or Shelf | $250 to $500 | Not stated | PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free, smooth edges | 2 stackable layers, 3 sections per layer, removable walls | Egg collection trays, listed as easy egg collection | Extended slide-out waste tray, power-washable | Keepers with a specific height limit, such as a bench under a window or a… | Check price for Cimuka Quail Breeding Cage Indoor – 2 Layer Stackable Quail Pens & Coops | 38.6" x 24" x 35.8" Easy Clean, Rust-Free, Plastic Breeder System with Removable Walls & Egg Collection Trays on Amazon |
| GDLF 2-Tier Wooden | Best for Storing Feed Underneath | $120 to $250 | Not stated | Solid wood frame with wire mesh panels | 2 tiers plus a bottom storage shelf | Not stated | Removable pull-out tray under each tier | Keepers housing quail in a living space or a tidy garage who want the fee… | Check price for GDLF Wooden Quail Cage Indoor, 2-Tier Quail Coop with Pull-Out Trays on Amazon |
| Kecreque A-Frame | Best Budget Outdoor Pen | $60 to $120 | Not stated | Wooden A-frame with metal wire mesh panels | Single level, open run with a covered nesting area | Not stated | Two openable doors and a latch, maker says easy to clean, no tray stated | Anyone who wants quail outdoors on a small budget and is willing to hand-… | Check price for Kecreque Rabbit Hutch Outdoor Chicken Coop Run A-Frame Bunny Cage Wooden Quail Cage w/ 2 Door & Ventilated Wire Fence Small Animal Cage for Garden Backyard Farms 47 x 18 x 19.5 in on Amazon |
The full reviews
Each review below follows the same order: what it is, why it won its category, how it behaves in real use, and who should buy something else.
1 Best Overall
Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor – 2 Section Coop, Easy Clean, Rust-Free PP Plastic, Removable Middle Wall, Comfortplast™ Design for Breeding & Egg Collection by Cimuka
The sloped trays roll every egg forward to the front of the cage, which is the specification that decides this category, and it costs $60 less than the wooden cage that does not have it.
What we liked
- Sloped egg trays roll eggs forward, so the birds never stand on what they lay
- PP polypropylene body is rust-free and takes a power washer without softening
- Removable middle wall lets you split the cage into two sections or run it as one
- At 13 pounds one person can lift it onto a bench without help
What we did not
- One layer of two sections is a hard ceiling at 6 large quail, so there is no spare section to move an aggressive male into
- The waste tray wants emptying every two or three days and there is only one of them for the whole cage
- No stand or legs are included, so the cage sits at whatever height the bench you supply happens to be
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 23.8 x 24 x 18.1 in
- Weight
- 13 pounds
- Colour
- Blue
- Capacity
- Up to 6 large or 10 small quail
- Material
- PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free
- Tiers And Sections
- 1 layer, 2 sections, removable middle wall
- Egg Collection
- Sloped egg trays roll eggs forward to the front
- Cleaning
- Power-washable, parts remove for washing
Why the Cimuka 2-Section wins this category
Quail lay on the floor, wherever they are standing, usually before you are up. On a flat floor they then walk over the eggs. You get cracked shells, muck ground into the surface, and eventually a bird that learns to eat them, which is a habit that spreads and is very hard to stop.
The Cimuka 2-Section solves that for the least money of any cage here that solves it at all. The floor slopes and each egg rolls forward into a tray at the front, out of reach, where you collect it without opening the cage.
Living with the Cimuka 2-Section
The body is PP plastic, so the weekly job is a rinse rather than a scrub. Parts come off for washing and the whole cage takes a power washer, which matters more than it sounds: quail waste is wet and there is a lot of it for the size of the bird.
The removable middle wall is the other useful feature. Run the cage as one open space for a small group, or split it when you need to separate birds.
Where the Cimuka 2-Section falls short
It is one layer. At 23.8 by 24 inches, the stated 6 large or 10 small quail is the ceiling, not a starting point, and there is nowhere to expand into. When a male turns aggressive your only two sections are already occupied, so isolating him means buying something else.
The single waste tray is the other pinch. Every bird in the cage drops into one tray, and on a three day cycle that tray is heavy and the ammonia is noticeable in an enclosed room.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published sloped egg tray design, the 23.8 by 24 inch footprint, the stated 6 large or 10 small quail rating and the PP plastic construction, compared with the other five cages on egg collection.
- Best for
- Anyone starting with quail who wants clean whole eggs from the first week without paying for a multi-layer rack.
- Skip it if
- You already run more than a dozen birds, or you plan to hatch soon and will need somewhere to put the chicks.
- The limitation to plan around
- Two sections is all you get. The first hatch fills it, and the only fix is a second cage or a taller rack.
2 Best for Reaching Every Layer Without a Stool
Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor - 3 Layer Stackable Coops, Quail Pens for Egg Laying, Easy Clean Bird Cage, Rust-Free, Removable Walls, Waste Trays & Egg Roll-Out System by Cimuka
Three layers of three sections with a roll-out egg tray on each one, and at 52 inches tall the top layer is still at chest height, so you can see and reach into all of it standing up.
What we liked
- Roll-out egg tray on every layer, so eggs leave the floor on all three levels
- Nine sections with removable dividers gives you somewhere to isolate a bully
- Each layer has its own extended waste tray that pulls out separately
- PP plastic throughout, so there is no wood to rot and no metal to rust
What we did not
- The stated 45 quail is the maker's figure and matches the 4-Layer's claim despite that cage having a whole extra layer, so treat the number as marketing
- At 57 pounds and 52 inches tall it is a two-person lift to reposition once it is assembled
- Three waste trays instead of one means three times the emptying, every two or three days
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 38.6 x 24 x 52 in
- Weight
- 57 pounds
- Colour
- Blue
- Capacity
- Up to 45 quail, each full layer equals 3 sections
- Material
- PP plastic, rust-free, no wood rot or metal rust
- Tiers And Sections
- 3 stackable layers, 3 sections per layer, removable dividers
- Egg Collection
- Roll-out egg tray on every layer, sloped floor
- Cleaning
- Extended removable waste tray per layer, fully power-washable
Why the Cimuka 3-Layer wins this category
Height is the quiet problem with stackable cages. Add enough layers and the top one ends up above your eye line, and a layer you cannot see into is a layer where a sick bird goes unnoticed for a day too long.
At 52 inches the Cimuka 3-Layer stops just below that point. You can look into all three layers and reach the back of each one flat-footed. Every layer also carries its own roll-out egg tray, so the specification that matters is not sacrificed on the upper decks.
Living with the Cimuka 3-Layer
It is also the value pick in the range. The 2-Layer is $399.99 and this is $499.99, so a whole extra layer of three sections costs $100. If you have the headroom there is no argument for the smaller one.
Nine sections with removable dividers gives you real flexibility. You can run breeding groups, grow-outs and an isolation pen at the same time without buying anything else.
Where the Cimuka 3-Layer falls short
The capacity claim does not hold together. The maker states up to 45 quail here and also states up to 45 quail for the 4-Layer, which has an entire extra layer of three sections. Both numbers cannot be right. Count sections and apply your own stocking figure instead.
The other cost is labour. Three layers means three waste trays, and quail droppings are wet enough that all three want emptying every two or three days. That is a real chore, not a minor one, and it is the reason people downsize.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 38.6 by 24 by 52 inch dimensions, the stated three layers of three sections with roll-out trays, and price per usable layer compared against the 2-Layer and 4-Layer versions.
- Best for
- Keepers running a proper laying covey who want every layer reachable without climbing on anything.
- Skip it if
- You have low ceilings, a shallow shelf, or you only keep a handful of birds and will never fill nine sections.
- The limitation to plan around
- It is 52 inches tall and 57 pounds. Decide where it lives before it arrives, because moving it later is awkward.
3 Best If You Need to Roll the Rack Outside
Hatching Time Quail Breeding Cage Indoor - 4 Layer Stackable Quail Coop, Easy Clean, Rust-Free, Egg Roll-Out Tray, Power-Washable PP Plastic Quail Pens with Frame & Wheels, Comfortplast by Cimuka
Four layers on a wheeled frame, with a roll-out egg tray on each. The wheels are the reason to pick it, because rolling the whole rack outside to hose it down turns an hour of scrubbing into ten minutes.
What we liked
- Wheeled frame lets you roll the whole rack outside to wash it rather than working indoors
- Egg roll-out tray on all four layers, so no level loses the sloped floor
- Twelve sections with 8 adjustable middle walls, enough to separate breeding groups properly
- Extended droppings tray under each layer catches feed thrown out of the trough
What we did not
- At 64.5 inches tall the top layer sits above eye level for most people, so you cannot see into it without a stool
- The stated 45 quail does not reconcile with the maker's own guidance of 3 large or 5 small birds per section across 12 sections
- Four waste trays to empty every two or three days, which is double the routine of the 2-Layer
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 38.6 x 24 x 64.5 in
- Weight
- 76 pounds
- Colour
- Blue
- Capacity
- Up to 45 quail, maker suggests 3 large or up to 5 small quail per section
- Material
- PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free, no rust, rot or corrosion
- Tiers And Sections
- 4 stackable layers on a wheeled frame, 3 sections per layer, 8 adjustable middle walls
- Egg Collection
- Egg roll-out tray on every layer guides eggs forward
- Cleaning
- Removable droppings tray under each layer, extended to cut feed loss, smooth non-stick surfaces rinse and dry quickly
Why the Cimuka 4-Layer wins this category
Cleaning is the job that decides whether you keep quail for years or give up after one summer. Everything in this guide holds waste somewhere, and most of it has to be carried through a doorway on a tray.
The Cimuka 4-Layer puts the whole rack on wheels. You unlock it, roll it outside, hose the lot and roll it back. That is the single most useful feature on any cage here for anyone keeping birds in a garage, because the mess ends up on the driveway instead of on the floor you have to mop.
Living with the Cimuka 4-Layer
Twelve sections and eight adjustable middle walls is a genuine breeding setup. You can hold separate trios, keep a grow-out pen and still have a section free for the bird that needs isolating.
Every layer gets an egg roll-out tray and an extended droppings tray. The extension is a small thing that pays for itself, because quail throw feed out of the trough and the longer tray catches it instead of the floor.
Where the Cimuka 4-Layer falls short
The fourth layer is the compromise. At 64.5 inches overall, the top deck is above eye level for most adults. You cannot glance across it to count birds or spot one sitting badly, and a stool becomes part of the daily routine. That is exactly why the 3-Layer holds a separate award here.
The numbers also do not agree with themselves. The listing says up to 45 quail, the same figure given for the 3-Layer, and it separately suggests 3 large or up to 5 small birds per section. Twelve sections at those rates does not produce 45 either. Both figures are the maker's and neither should be your stocking plan.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 38.6 by 24 by 64.5 inch dimensions, the 76 pound weight, the wheeled frame and 12 section layout, and the two conflicting capacity figures given in the same listing.
- Best for
- Anyone with a garage or barn who wants the maximum number of sections and the ability to wheel the rack out to clean it.
- Skip it if
- You are short, you have a low ceiling, or you want to be able to check every bird at a glance from standing height.
- The limitation to plan around
- The top layer is above eye level at 64.5 inches. Plan on keeping a step stool beside it permanently.
4 Best for a Low Bench or Shelf
Cimuka Quail Breeding Cage Indoor – 2 Layer Stackable Quail Pens & Coops | 38.6" x 24" x 35.8" Easy Clean, Rust-Free, Plastic Breeder System with Removable Walls & Egg Collection Trays
Two layers with egg collection trays in a 35.8 inch stack, which is the version that fits under a shelf or on a low bench. On price per layer it is the weakest step in the Cimuka range.
What we liked
- At 35.8 inches tall it fits under a garage shelf where the taller racks will not
- Six sections with removable walls, so you can separate birds without buying a second cage
- Extended slide-out waste tray catches feed thrown from the trough as well as droppings
- Same power-washable PP plastic body as the larger cages in the range
What we did not
- The 3-Layer costs $100 more and adds a whole extra layer of three sections, so this is the weakest value step in the range
- Capacity is not stated at all, so you are counting sections and setting your own stocking rate
- The listing describes egg collection trays without confirming a sloped roll-out floor, unlike the 3-Layer and 4-Layer descriptions
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 38.6 x 24 x 35.8 in
- Weight
- 40 pounds
- Colour
- Blue
- Capacity
- Not stated
- Material
- PP polypropylene plastic, rust-free, smooth edges
- Tiers And Sections
- 2 stackable layers, 3 sections per layer, removable walls
- Egg Collection
- Egg collection trays, listed as easy egg collection
- Cleaning
- Extended slide-out waste tray, power-washable
Why the Cimuka 2-Layer wins this category
Because sometimes the space decides the purchase. A 52 inch rack does not go under a shelf, and a 64.5 inch rack does not go in a basement with pipes running across the ceiling. At 35.8 inches the Cimuka 2-Layer sits on a low bench or slides under most fitted shelving with room to lift the trays out.
It keeps the parts of the range that matter. The body is the same PP plastic, it power washes, and the waste tray is the extended type that catches spilled feed rather than letting it hit the floor.
Living with the Cimuka 2-Layer
Six sections across two layers is enough for a small laying group with a spare section held back. Removable walls mean you can widen a section for a breeding trio or narrow one to hold a single bird you are watching.
At 40 pounds it is the lightest of the three stackable cages, so one person can shift it along a bench to sweep behind it. That is a small thing that you will do more often than you expect.
Where the Cimuka 2-Layer falls short
The pricing is the problem. This is $399.99 and the 3-Layer is $499.99. That extra $100 buys a whole additional layer of three sections, which is a much better rate than you are paying here. Unless a hard height limit is forcing your hand, the larger cage is the better purchase.
The second gap is what the listing does not say. Capacity is not stated, so there is no maker figure to work from at all, and the egg system is described as collection trays rather than the explicit roll-out and sloped floor language used for the 3-Layer and 4-Layer. Ask the seller to confirm the floor slopes before you buy on that basis.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 38.6 by 24 by 35.8 inch dimensions, the 40 pound weight, the stated two layers of three sections, and price per layer compared directly against the 3-Layer and 4-Layer models.
- Best for
- Keepers with a specific height limit, such as a bench under a window or a shelf, who still want a stacked plastic cage.
- Skip it if
- You have the headroom for a taller rack, because the next size up gives you far more for the money.
- The limitation to plan around
- The height advantage is the only reason to choose it. If your space takes 52 inches, the 3-Layer is better value.
5 Best for Storing Feed Underneath
GDLF Wooden Quail Cage Indoor, 2-Tier Quail Coop with Pull-Out Trays
A wooden two-tier cage with a bottom storage shelf, so the feed bin, the grit and the egg cartons live under the birds instead of somewhere else in the room. It states no egg collection at all.
What we liked
- Bottom storage shelf keeps feed, grit and cartons under the cage instead of across the room
- Removable pull-out tray under each tier, so droppings come out without opening the cage
- Solid wood frame with wire mesh looks like furniture rather than livestock equipment
- At 35.4 by 18.9 inches it takes up less floor width than the plastic racks here
What we did not
- No egg collection is stated, so eggs sit on a flat floor where the birds walk on them and crack them
- Wood absorbs the moisture in quail droppings and holds the smell, and it cannot be power washed
- Capacity is not stated, so there is no maker guidance on how many birds the two tiers hold
- Timber joints and mesh staples give mites somewhere to hide that a moulded plastic surface does not
About $200 checked Aug 8, 2026
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 35.4 x 18.9 x 65 in
- Weight
- 44.75 pounds
- Colour
- Natural wood tone
- Capacity
- Not stated
- Material
- Solid wood frame with wire mesh panels
- Tiers And Sections
- 2 tiers plus a bottom storage shelf
- Egg Collection
- Not stated
- Cleaning
- Removable pull-out tray under each tier
Why the GDLF 2-Tier Wooden wins this category
Storage is the thing nobody plans for. Once you keep quail you have a feed bin, a grit tub, a scoop, a stack of egg cartons and a spare waterer, and in a small garage they end up on the floor around the cage.
The GDLF 2-Tier Wooden puts a shelf under the birds and swallows all of it. At 65 inches tall and only 18.9 inches deep it uses vertical space instead of floor space, and it looks like a piece of furniture, which matters if the cage is going somewhere people can see it.
Living with the GDLF 2-Tier Wooden
Each tier has its own pull-out tray, so the droppings come out from the front without reaching through the door. That is the correct arrangement and it works. Expect to do it every two or three days, because quail waste is wet and a wooden frame is the last thing you want holding it.
The wire mesh panels give good airflow and visibility. The storage shelf sits at the bottom of the 65 inch frame, so both tiers are raised off the floor rather than starting at ankle height.
Where the GDLF 2-Tier Wooden falls short
There is no stated egg collection. The floor does not slope and nothing rolls anywhere, so eggs sit where they are laid and the birds walk over them. You will crack some, you will wash most, and you carry a real risk of a bird learning to eat them, which spreads through a covey and is hard to stop. At $199.99 it costs $60 more than the Cimuka 2-Section, which does have sloped trays.
The material is the other long-term issue. Wood takes up moisture from droppings, keeps the smell, and cannot be power washed. Joints and staple lines also give mites places to shelter that a smooth plastic surface does not.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 35.4 by 18.9 by 65 inch dimensions, the stated two tiers with pull-out trays and a bottom shelf, and the absence of any stated egg collection system in the listing.
- Best for
- Keepers housing quail in a living space or a tidy garage who want the feed stored under the cage and can live with hand-collecting eggs.
- Skip it if
- Clean whole eggs are the point of keeping quail, because nothing here stops the birds standing on what they lay.
- The limitation to plan around
- You will be picking eggs off a flat floor by hand every morning, and washing most of them before they go in a carton.
6 Best Budget Outdoor Pen
Kecreque Rabbit Hutch Outdoor Chicken Coop Run A-Frame Bunny Cage Wooden Quail Cage w/ 2 Door & Ventilated Wire Fence Small Animal Cage for Garden Backyard Farms 47 x 18 x 19.5 in
The cheapest cage here at $66.98 and the only one built to stand outdoors, with a wire run and a covered nesting end. It is a rabbit hutch relisted for quail, so nothing about egg handling is designed for them.
What we liked
- At $66.98 it is the cheapest cage in this guide by a wide margin
- Built as an outdoor pen, with a covered nesting area at one end of the run
- At 47 inches long it gives more running length than the indoor cages
- Two openable doors and a latch make catching a bird easier than through one small hatch
What we did not
- No tray of any kind is stated, so cleaning means reaching into the pen and scraping the ground surface
- No egg collection is stated, so eggs sit on a flat floor where the birds crack and foul them
- The A-frame profile is only 19.5 inches tall, so the usable height at the sloped sides is far less than the middle
- It is a rabbit hutch relisted for quail, so the mesh spacing and layout were not chosen with quail in mind
Key specifications
- Dimensions
- 47 x 18 x 19.5 in, weighs 14.5 lb
- Weight
- 14.44909665148 pounds
- Colour
- Wood
- Capacity
- Not stated
- Material
- Wooden A-frame with metal wire mesh panels
- Tiers And Sections
- Single level, open run with a covered nesting area
- Egg Collection
- Not stated
- Cleaning
- Two openable doors and a latch, maker says easy to clean, no tray stated
Why the Kecreque A-Frame wins this category
It is the outdoor option, and it is cheap. Every other cage here is an indoor or covered-shelter design meant for a garage, a shed or a barn. If you want a few quail on grass in the yard, the Kecreque A-Frame is the only thing in this guide built for that, and at $66.98 it is the cheapest cage in the comparison.
The layout is straightforward: an open wire run with a covered nesting area at one end, so the birds can get out of sun and rain without you adding anything.
Living with the Kecreque A-Frame
At 47 inches long it gives more running distance than the indoor cages, which is worth something for birds that spend their whole lives in one enclosure. Two doors with a latch means you can reach either end, and catching a quail is much easier when you can approach from two directions.
At 14.5 pounds it is light enough to lift and shift onto fresh grass, which is the main advantage of keeping quail outdoors in the first place.
Where the Kecreque A-Frame falls short
There is no tray. The listing states none, and the maker's claim of easy cleaning rests on the two doors, not on anything you can slide out. In practice that means reaching in with a scraper, which is the chore that ends more quail projects than any other single thing.
There is no egg collection either. The floor is flat, the birds lay on it and then stand on it, so cracked and dirty eggs are the normal outcome. And the shape works against you: at 19.5 inches at the ridge, the sloped sides give very little usable headroom, so the real standing area is a narrow strip down the middle rather than the full 47 by 18 inch footprint.
Research based, not hands-on
Assessed on the published 47 by 18 by 19.5 inch dimensions, the 14.5 pound weight, the stated wooden A-frame with wire mesh, and the absence of any stated tray or egg collection in the listing.
- Best for
- Anyone who wants quail outdoors on a small budget and is willing to hand-collect eggs and scrape rather than pull a tray.
- Skip it if
- You want clean whole eggs, or you need a cage that can be power washed and stripped down between groups.
- The limitation to plan around
- There is no tray. Every clean-out is done by reaching into the pen, and that is the job that makes people quit.
How we compared these quail cages
The first cut was the floor. Does it slope to a roll-out egg tray, yes or no? Four cages passed and two did not, and that single question reorders the field in a way price alone does not.
After that we looked at the droppings trays, because they are the recurring chore. We noted whether each layer has its own tray, whether the trays extend far enough forward to catch spilled feed, and whether the cage material survives a power washer.
Then capacity. We counted sections rather than trusting headline bird numbers, and we recorded where a maker's own figures do not reconcile with each other. Finally we compared price per usable layer across the Cimuka range, because the steps between sizes are not evenly priced.
What actually matters in a quail cage
The floor slope and the egg tray
This is the whole game. Quail lay on the ground, in the open, and then walk over the eggs. Left flat, you will crack two a day, you will wash every egg you collect, and sooner or later a bird will break one and discover it likes the taste. Egg eating spreads through a covey and there is no easy cure.
A sloped floor sends each egg forward under a lip and into a tray at the front. You collect from outside the cage, the eggs are clean, and the birds never get near them. The Cimuka 2-Section has sloped trays that roll eggs to the front, and the 3-Layer and 4-Layer carry a roll-out tray on every layer. The 2-Layer is listed with egg collection trays, but its description does not spell out the sloped roll-out floor the way the taller two do, so confirm that with the seller if it is your reason for buying.
The two that do not are the GDLF 2-Tier Wooden, which has pull-out droppings trays but states no egg collection, and the Kecreque A-Frame, which is a rabbit hutch relisted for quail and has no tray at all.
The plain version of this: the $139.99 Cimuka 2-Section beats the $199.99 GDLF 2-Tier Wooden on the specification that decides the category, and it costs $60 less.
Droppings trays and whether the cage washes
Quail waste is wet and there is a lot of it for the size of the bird. Every layer wants its own removable tray, and you want to be emptying them every two or three days. Trays that extend forward also catch feed thrown out of the trough, which cuts waste noticeably.
The material decides how this ages. PP plastic rinses and dries. Wood absorbs and holds the smell, and no amount of scrubbing brings it back.
Sections, not bird counts
Count the sections and think about what happens when a male turns aggressive. Removable dividers let you split a section and separate a bird without buying anything. A single layer cage with two sections gives you almost no room to manoeuvre.
Price per layer, because the steps are uneven
The Cimuka range does not scale the way you would guess. The 2-Layer is $399.99 and the 3-Layer is $499.99, so a whole extra layer of three sections costs $100. That makes the 2-Layer the poor value option of the two, and the 3-Layer the one to buy if you have the headroom.
The 4-Layer at $599.99 is another $100 for another layer, and it adds a wheeled frame. That is fair pricing, but at 64.5 inches tall the top layer is above eye level for most people, which is exactly why the 3-Layer holds its award for reaching everything without a stool.
Final recommendation
Start with the Cimuka 2-Section at $139.99. It has the sloped egg trays, it is power washable, and it is the cheapest way to get the specification that matters. Expect to outgrow it the first time you hatch.
If you are past that point, the Cimuka 3-Layer is the value pick in the range and every layer is still reachable. Take the Cimuka 4-Layer instead if the wheeled frame matters, because rolling the rack out to hose it down is a genuine time saver. And if you want quail outdoors on a budget, the Kecreque A-Frame is $66.98 and the cheapest cage here, as long as you accept you will be collecting eggs off a flat floor by hand.
Questions people ask before buying
Why does a quail cage floor need to slope?
Because quail lay on the floor and then stand on the eggs. A sloped wire floor lets each egg roll forward within seconds of being laid, through a gap at the front and into a collection tray the birds cannot reach. Without it you get cracked eggs, muck ground into the shell, and the risk of birds learning to eat them, which is a habit that spreads through a covey and is very hard to stop once it starts.
How many quail can I keep in one cage?
Work from sections rather than headline numbers. A common working figure is around 1 square foot per adult Coturnix, and cage makers usually assume less. The Cimuka 2-Section states up to 6 large or 10 small quail across its two sections. The 3-Layer and the 4-Layer both state up to 45 quail, which is the maker's figure for both despite the 4-Layer having an extra layer, and the 4-Layer's own guidance of 3 large or up to 5 small birds per section across 12 sections does not reconcile with 45 either. Treat all of those as maker claims and count sections yourself.
How often do the droppings trays need emptying?
Every two or three days for most setups, and that is the job people underestimate. Quail produce a surprising amount of waste for their size and it is wet, so a tray left a week becomes ammonia in an enclosed space, which is bad for their eyes and their airways. This is the practical reason the power washable plastic cages age better than the wooden one. A plastic tray rinses clean in seconds while a wooden frame absorbs and holds the smell.
Can quail cages live outside?
Only the ones built for it. The Cimuka cages and the GDLF wooden cage are indoor or covered shelter designs, meant for a garage, a shed or a barn. The Kecreque A-Frame is the outdoor option here, with a wire run and a covered nesting area. If you put an indoor cage outside, the trays fill with rain, the wire corrodes at the joints and the birds have nothing between them and the wind.
Do I need a separate cage for a male quail?
You need somewhere to move one to, which is not the same thing. Male Coturnix fight and will scalp each other and pull the feathers off hens if the ratio is wrong. A cage with removable dividers lets you split a section and separate a bully in five minutes. That is the strongest argument for the multi-section cages here and the biggest practical weakness of the single-layer 2-Section, which has no spare section to move anyone into.
Is a wooden quail cage a bad idea?
Not bad, but it ages worse. Wood absorbs the moisture in quail droppings, holds the smell, and gives mites somewhere to hide that a moulded plastic surface does not. It also cannot be power washed. The GDLF 2-Tier Wooden earns its place for the storage shelf and the furniture look, and it has pull-out droppings trays, but it states no egg collection, so you are picking eggs off a flat floor by hand.
Why you can trust this guide
- Written by
- Marta Voss, Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek. Specialist areas: Editorial fact checking, Chick brooding and starter nutrition, Small-flock husbandry, Feed labels and nutrition claims.
- Fact checked by
- Sam Reddick
- Published
- August 8, 2026 · Last updated August 8, 2026 · Products and links rechecked August 8, 2026
- How we picked
- Cages were judged first on whether the floor slopes to a roll-out egg tray, then on the droppings tray arrangement and whether the whole cage can be power washed, then on stated capacity checked against section count and published dimensions, then on price per usable layer across the range.
- Evidence used
- None of the 6 products on this page were sent to us or bought for a hands-on test. Every recommendation here is research based: manufacturer specifications, listed dimensions and materials, owner feedback at volume, and comparison against equipment our team has owned. Each review states this again above the buy button so you are never guessing which kind of evidence sits behind a pick.
- Editorial standards
- No brand pays for placement, and no manufacturer sees this page before it goes live. Read our editorial policy and testing method.
- Affiliate disclosure
- Chicken Geek is reader supported. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you, and no brand has paid for a placement or an award here.
About the author
Editor and fact checker, Chicken Geek
Marta edits every guide on Chicken Geek and checks that each claim can be traced back to a manufacturer specification, a published standard or a stated first-hand observation. She keeps a small backyard flock of six hens and has raised chicks from day one for eight seasons.
- Eight seasons raising chicks from day-old to point of lay
- Checks every specification in a Chicken Geek guide against the manufacturer listing
- Removes any testing claim that cannot be backed up
- Keeps a flock of six hens in a suburban backyard
