Coturnix quail question

[Pearlywhitecity]

I have one little female coturnix quail not sure of her age. I am wondering if I could let her out and live free. I only have one because I'm really not wanting to have anymore. I love this little girl and would love to see her free. She has a huge pen huge. I don't believe in small pens.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

I know very little about quail but, on instinct, I would say NO. Domesticated birds do not belong in the wild. What may look like a happy carefree existence will almost certainly end very abruptly with predator attack. When it comes to poultry, quail are the #1 predator magnets, even worse than baby chickens. Hawks, snakes, rats, raccoons, possums, skunks, weasels, foxes, dogs, coyotes, cats, bobcats, buzzards, even the occasional SQUIRREL will all take a quail as soon as breathe, and then may stick around for a try at your other birds...or you.

Even if by some miracle your quail escapes predation, she may have difficulty feeding herself or keeping warm without care. That is hell for a domesticated bird. Truly, she has never had to care for herself before. As “wild” birds go, she’s an infant. How would a baby fare alone?

Quail are also very susceptible to disease, and if she seeks refuge with a neighbor’s flock she can catch or spread illness you don’t even know about.

Finally, it is also NOT a good idea to release any kind of domesticated fowl in the wild because game commissions and other wildlife protection agencies will come down on you HARD if they catch you..and they SHOULD!...with the intention of preventing the introduction of an invasive species that can threaten native wildlife. Granted, you’re only releasing 1, but they don’t know that, and assuming “for every 1 you see there are 10 you can’t”, they will be understandably very miffed at you. Besides, what if your neighbors follow your example? There goes the neighborhood, either you’ll have an invasive species on your hands, OR your local authorities may further restrict or even outlaw keeping birds! Sometimes it only takes 1 bird to ruffle the wrong feathers, especially with all the terror surrounding bird flu. For your sake and your neighbors’, don’t risk it!

Look, if you love your quail, keep her! If you can’t, there are plenty of people, even brand new quail owners, who would be happy to give her a good home. Even a chicken owner with no quail experience AT ALL could toss her in with the hens and give her a better (and certainly longer) life than she could possibly have alone in the wild. If that doesn’t work for you either, then lovingly kiss her goodbye, thank her for the beautiful life you had together, and give her soul to Jesus and have yourself a well-earned nice dinner. If you have loved her well, as you sound like you have, then you deserve it. That’s raising livestock at it’s absolute best. ❤

 

[Pearlywhitecity]

My most concern is her well being and happiness cause I do love her definitely don't eat my pets so that won't be happening just couldn't do that
I will be keeping her I think I'll try to buy her a couple friends. I already been trying to find some. Thank you

 

[VictoriaTemple]

You are very welcome. It’s beautiful that you love her so much. It’s a rare and precious thing when a little bird is blessed with such love. When you do such for the even the least of Jesus’s creatures, you do so for Him too. ❤

 

[Pearlywhitecity]

Yes mam!!!! I'm a big animal lover...especially my feathered friends. Jesus loves all great and small