Can you hatch eggs and release them into the wild?

[willea14]

I'm currently looking for a bird species that I could release into the wild once I incubate them and potentially care for them until they are fairly grown.

Is this at all an option or should I look for a feed store or local farm?

 

[dheltzel]

No birds should be hatched and them released into the wild. Poultry can often naturalize around people, but they can (and should) stay close by. We have guineas that range over a large area, but return to roost in the barns. State game commissions sometimes rear and release gamebirds like ring neck pheasants, but any you raise are likely to become fox food in short order. That is the fate of pretty much anything you release if you are habituating them to remain in your care and under your protection.

What are you trying to do exactly?

 

[R2elk]

I'm currently looking for a bird species that I could release into the wild once I incubate them and potentially care for them until they are fairly grown.

Is this at all an option or should I look for a feed store or local farm?

You will have to check your state laws. Most states prohibit the release of animals into the wild and if they do allow it, they typically require a permit and have strict regulations about what you can or can't do.

 

[willea14]

Ah thank you for confirming, it seems to me like that is the case. I'm actually trying to incubate eggs for a public art project. I'm looking for the most ethical way of dealing with the birds once they have hatched.

 

[R2elk]

Ah thank you for confirming, it seems to me like that is the case. I'm actually trying to incubate eggs for a public art project. I'm looking for the most ethical way of dealing with the birds once they have hatched.

Put an ad on your local craigslist and either sell them or give them away.

 

[bobbi-j]

Ah thank you for confirming, it seems to me like that is the case. I'm actually trying to incubate eggs for a public art project. I'm looking for the most ethical way of dealing with the birds once they have hatched.

Grow them up, find a place to process them and donate to a food bank or some such place. Find a family that could use some good, home grown meat.

 

[amenfarm]

Or find a local chicken keeper ahead of time that would be able to take them after your done.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Ah thank you for confirming, it seems to me like that is the case. I'm actually trying to incubate eggs for a public art project. I'm looking for the most ethical way of dealing with the birds once they have hatched.

There's something about using animals for an art project that feels like playing God with their lives. Being an artist, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with that.

That said, You might think about working together with a local breeder. That way you could also have the guidance of an expert during the incubation process & have a solid plan for their care afterward.