I have approx 45 bobwhite quail chicks that are 3 weeks old. I plan to keep them another week or two and then release them into the wild. Other than "don't do it, you're only wasting your time and costing them their life," what other advice might you readers have for me? Particularly, I'd like to hear your thoughts on smaller vs. larger releases; i.e. would two groups of 7 birds be better than one group of 14 - 15? I'm leaning toward smaller releases, say 6 groups of 7ish birds but is that too small of a number for a (potential) covey? Is there a higher minimum number of birds that should be released together? I could do 4 groups of 11, 5 groups of 9, 6 groups of 7 or ??? Keep in mind, when they're released (4 - 5 weeks old), I won't know their sex - so that will be a reason to not go to low with the number of birds per release.
I would also like to hear your thoughts on periodic feedings, once they're released. I plan to release them near a water source so hopefully they'll remember where to get water but was also thinking about throwing out some food for them every three days or so to help them get established. I would put it in different places so they don't 'wait there to be fed' vs. constantly hunting for 'new' food. Additionally, if they always hung around one spot for food, that makes it easy for a predator to locate and kill them all. Are periodic feedings a good idea?
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions on these two topics and for any other suggestions that you think would be helpful.
GADUCK
I would also like to hear your thoughts on periodic feedings, once they're released. I plan to release them near a water source so hopefully they'll remember where to get water but was also thinking about throwing out some food for them every three days or so to help them get established. I would put it in different places so they don't 'wait there to be fed' vs. constantly hunting for 'new' food. Additionally, if they always hung around one spot for food, that makes it easy for a predator to locate and kill them all. Are periodic feedings a good idea?
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions on these two topics and for any other suggestions that you think would be helpful.
GADUCK
