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The "Johnny House" used by many to liberate and recall
quail for dog training is not a new concept by any stretch of the
imagination. What is a new concept is a design that
incorporates very little maintenance ergonomics, dependable and
repeatable callbacks, protection from the elements as well as
insurance against varmints destroying your entire
investment. This design was created at Phantom Kennels by
Dan Hendrickson and W.L. Jaggers in a
pursuit to have a dependable population of liberated birds and to
have a system requiring very little maintenance. Most designs of
the past have been high maintenance and high mortality rate with
mediocre call back success. Over the years the Phantom Quail
Kennel has seen many improvements and modifications. Recently it
has reached its final development. The Phantom Quail Kennel
is used
daily to train pointing dogs with repeated success and will now be
offered to the public as a do it yourself package or as complete
ready to use units.
Water System
The watering system consists of a 15 gallon
plastic drum that is housed inside the quail kennel and gravity
flows through 3/8" vinyl tubing to an automatic watering
system. This system will give 40 birds clean drinking water for up
to 8 weeks. This is one of the most time saving features of the
quail kennel. Using the adapter on the reservoir, barrel water can
be added at any time and in small amounts as necessary. As an
option you can divert the captured rainwater from the roof of the
unit directly into the water barrel.
Call Back Section
The call back section is divided with mesh wire
providing visual encouragement to the quail outside of the pen.
There are three viewing windows into the callback section adjacent
to the callback funnel. These can also be used to see how many
birds have called back and to see a varmint before being surprised
while opening the callback access door. Without the visual of the
other birds, callback is average at best. The door to return
called back birds is accessible from outside the unit avoiding
human contact with the birds. The second key feature of this
section is the varmint release/bird loading door. If you happen to
trap a varmint such as a skunk, this door will allow you to
release the varmint for extermination rather than soiling the
inside of the callback. When stocking birds, the gate can be used
as a controlled opening to keep birds from escaping before they
have been trained.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the Phantom Quail Kennel
allows you to feed, water, release birds, return call back birds,
and visually inspect your birds, all from the exterior of the
unit. This keeps bird/human contact to a minimum and makes this
the most efficient design on the
market today.
Portability
The
Phantom Quail Kennel
is portable enough to be moved on a small
trailer with two people yet stable enough to withstand high winds
without anchoring the
unit.
Healthy Birds
40
50 birds live a happy, healthy, life in the kennel. This gives you an ample amount to conduct several training
sessions daily. Build
two and place them an adequate distance from each other and either
rotate the houses daily or have one for morning and one for
evening training.
Dual Flight Doors
There
are two flight doors on opposite sides of the quail kennel. If your unit is set up in the middle of a small property
birds can be flown in opposite directions.
This gives you twice the coverage with only one unit.
Sunning
and calling platform
With
nearly 16 feet of platform birds have a generous area to call
other birds and be in the sun.
This is a favorite area in the early morning and late afternoon.
These
platforms also act as a staging area for birds to be flown for
training.
Ease
of Construction
After
building many of these, we have created a system that will ensure
success. Using the
detailed plans, materials list, and illustrated instructions this
project can easily be completed in one weekend.
Remember
to check your local and state game laws as recall pens may not be legal
in all areas; and may require special posting, permits, licenses, and/or
leg bands.
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