So Northern Bobwhite Quail are native. Also almost extinct in the wild in my part of NJ.Too funny!
They would need a place in the winter - don't you get snowy winters? And very cold? They would need a home during the evil white stuff season.
As a native I would think they could cope with winter and I would feel less guilty if they went feral.
Big hatcheries ship them ‘100 at a time’. I assume they would need a heat plate for the first week or so as I don’t have an adult broody quail. I think 100 quail may be too much for Eli!