Free roaming quail in safe area?

[aart]

Can they have a wing clipped or is that a no no for quail?

Did I miss the answer to this Q?

 

[Nabiki]

Did I miss the answer to this Q?

I'm not sure on the answer to that one. I've never done it.

Edit: I found an article on how to do it. I don't know how reliable it is, though.

 

[featheredplanets]

Thanks for the link^

I also looked around on BYC and it seems some owners have done it with success. I’ll have a go when someone is free to help.

 

[Deleted member 551573]

I’m enjoying owning my quail (only had them a day and they’re laying already!) but I’d like to let them in the garden to eat the weeds. It is a safe garden. We had rabbits up till last year so every nook is covered in mesh. I’ll be outside gardening or painting so they’ll be supervised. Is it okay to let them out? No predators. Neighbours cat sometimes walks on the fence but my dog will be in the garden as she’s good with birds - but not with cats.

I free range my quail for an hour or so each night, I'd give them atleast a few weeks to get settled in and comfortable with you handling them though.

 

[aart]

I free range my quail for an hour or so each night

Do they go back to their enclosure on their own?

 

[featheredplanets]

I free range my quail for an hour or so each night, I'd give them atleast a few weeks to get settled in and comfortable with you handling them though.View attachment 2002835View attachment 2002832View attachment 2002828View attachment 2002831

That’s such a cute setup! I’m hoping to plant herbs they can go in. I’ll let them acclimate to their new home for a while them try them. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 551573]

Do they go back to their enclosure on their own?

Occasionally they do but usually I have to herd them back into their enclosure or pick them up and place them in there if they're being stubborn

 

[Lemon88]

Some of my quail have escaped multiple times (my fault) and even after 2 days away they come back safe. The ones that are more tame I can let wander around the yard and they won't go far from me and haven't run away yet. You have to decide yourself if you trust your quail enough to not run away.

 

[Nabiki]

Some of my quail have escaped multiple times (my fault) and even after 2 days away they come back safe. The ones that are more tame I can let wander around the yard and they won't go far from me and haven't run away yet. You have to decide yourself if you trust your quail enough to not run away.

Sounds like you're lucky enough to live in a low predator area. I live inside city limits, but there are still plenty of cats, rats, 'possums, raccoons and hawks around to ensure that a quail that gets out is never coming back home unless I find it within an hour or two.

 

[Lemon88]

Sounds like you're lucky enough to live in a low predator area. I live inside city limits, but there are still plenty of cats, rats, 'possums, raccoons and hawks around to ensure that a quail that gets out is never coming back home unless I find it within an hour or two.

Sadly I have lost my favorite quail to a raccoon but otherwise we don't have many predator issues here. I think having dogs must keep some out or something.