Free range Quail?

[FenDruadin]

I've known and heard of folks who let them free range in large quantities. Part of the equation appears to be accepting there will be some loss. Most seem to stick around most of the time and come back for food. The challenge is catching them to DO anything with them--they seem to just sorta live there more or less like wild animals, without any practical application. AND in all cases that I personally know of, the experiment eventually ended when some wild creature, such as fox or bobcat, arrived for the buffet and wiped pretty much all of them out in a single night. Whoever survived did not come back, so it was total loss.

Some birds are just not cut out for free range, sadly. Mine live happily in a large aviary that simulates free range, but is protected on all sides (top and bottom included) with 1/2" hardware wire. This is great if you have the resources to do it. Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[3ChickensNADuck]

Just wondering, anybody try to free range the quail with success? It'd be good to get some pointers or info. I'd like to try it, there's not many predators where I live and clipping their wings seems doable vs locking them up all the time.

 

[qlicer49]

I do one coturnix a time to I can watch it but I wouldn't recconnend doing it with buttons.

 

[Ntsees]

Quote:
Your success depends what quail species you're dealing with. The only free range I do is in my fenced backyard. With no fencing, quail will not come back. And, not having many predators doesn't mean you are predator-free. You only need one individual predator and it'll take out all your birds.

 

[quailswiss]

Are you sure you don't have predators? Foxes are everywhere including city centers here in Europe. And they do hunt in daylight, too. You'd never know until they start eating your quail. Like the resident fox did to mine.

 

[cotekim]

This woman free ranges her quail and made a video of it. I recommend reading the thread of comments connected to the video. She explains a little bit of the parameters of how she does it.

 

[3ChickensNADuck]

This woman free ranges her quail and made a video of it. I recommend reading the thread of comments connected to the video. She explains a little bit of the parameters of how she does it. 

Thanks that video was pretty interesting and her precautions make sense. It looks doable. of course, it depends on location, if only I lived in Hawaii, than I wouldn't have to worry about predators

 

[Weirdness555]

I would build a natural aviary for them instead, they have plenty of space and are kept safe, everyone wins Good luck if you try free ranging though! Let us know how it goes.

 

[quailswiss]

What about using a chicken tractor? I would put a roof on it as the quail don't seem to like it out in the open, then chicken wire sides, add a sandbox and water and you're done. Needn't be very high or large they are so small.

They do eat weeds and any insects that scurry around so you'd have less feed used. If you use the tractor on a lawn I'd hose it down when you move, the poop is quite big.

The only problem I see with the tractor is fetching the eggs. That's why I'd make he roof in sections so you can open it (mind not the whole thing, they fly straight up!) Adding a "nest"area with some hay might trick them into laying there.

According to the previous owner of my flock, they love the snow and had no problem in -15C as long as they have somewhere dry.

 

[Weirdness555]

With tractors it's worth putting mesh on the bottom, as predators can dig under or tip the tractor up, it's happened to people on here. But there are a couple of people who keep their quail like this, it is good for them to get the bugs, that's why I keep mine on the ground