Bobwhite Quail

[mark9534]

I am interested in raising Bobwhites to release into the wild. I heard that they can help controlling ticks. I live in central New York and we currently have no hunting season which is a good thing for what I want to do. My question is are they hardy enough to survive winters with temps into the -10's.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

We have wild bobwhites here in south western Indiana and they survive -15* with -25* windchill. They just need food to survive in the form of grass and shrubs.

 

[Ntsees]

I am interested in raising Bobwhites to release into the wild. I heard that they can help controlling ticks. I live in central New York and we currently have no hunting season which is a good thing for what I want to do. My question is are they hardy enough to survive winters with temps into the -10's.

Captive birds released into the wild almost always don't survive. Success if very slow. You would most likely be feeding the predators in central New York.

 

[BaJa]

They survive - 40c.
Raise them in natural flight pens, though.
NOT on wire.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I had the same thought when you said there’s no hunting.... there’s always hunting. I hope your successful with your quail. I’ve seen such a decline in our wild quail. This year was the worst ever. Best wishes and good luck to you.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I had the same thought when you said there’s no hunting.... there’s always hunting. I hope your successful with your quail. I’ve seen such a decline in our wild quail. This year was the worst ever. Best wishes and good luck to you.

Doesn’t help that they’re lifespan in the wild Ian 6months to 2 years with 5 being old age and lucky.

 

[MissChick@dee]

There used to be covies of quail that would run outside my kitchen window every day coming and going to the creek (300yds away). I promise you new people moved in with cats & people think our area is perfect to dump animals .... I saw ONE sitting atop a fence post that was it!
A big part of me wants to hope & believe they found a different safer route to the water.