hatch for school project?? Wise?

hensonly

Songster
11 Years
May 15, 2008
438
4
131
upstate NY
Hi there,

A friend at work is wondering about getting some kind of kit for hatching quail eggs for a project for her eight year old son. She wants to release the quail after hatching but doesn't know if they would survive (not as tiny chicks of course but when old enough...). I don't know anything about quail, is this a ploy to get people to buy these kits, or is it a valid educational exercise? I don't know where the eggs would come from, either. Sounds like a low-probability experiment to me, but I told her I would ask advice from all you helpful folks. I only have chickens, and I'm new to them, too, so I can't really advise her.

We have 60 acres, mostly wooded, and have turkeys, grouse, and other birds, in addition to the foxes, coyotes, owls, hawks, coons, etc. I've never seen a quail on our property but would be willing to have them released here if the project were successful... question is, is it a good idea or better to stick with the tadpoles!?

Any input appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
Is it legal to release birds into the wild? Better check first.

Now this part is just an opinion...at the age of eight to have a kid raise something for several months only to release it to be eaten by other animals is kind of rough. Unless the kid is very mature and understands the concepts related to stocking and hunting. If he is expecting to come back next year and see the thriving population of quail he started he will be disappointed. Might be better to raise something that will be a pet or food for his family. An eight year old will remember it as abandoning the quail. Taking care of a pet or providing food for his family is a responsibility thing. Totally different lesson.
 
It is probably illegal but that could be checked for your area. They probably wouldn't do well if released either. Then you want to consider the disease issues with these birds. Personally I wouldn't do it.
 
Yep, your responses were my first reaction, too. I don't know the child, only his mom. She inquired, I said I'd ask y'all. I can't see the little goobers surviving in the woods with no adult to teach them anything, after being raised by people, in a house, but I know nothing about quail.

You folks confirmed what I thought, now I can give my coworker an answer with the weight of experience behind me! Thanks, all. BYC comes through again!
 
We hatched quail eggs as a school science project. Guess what? We now have quail pets! LOL! I did have offers from people to use them as food, but my 8 and 12 year olds wouldn't stand for it. So we built a nice, predator-safe coop and have 2 hens who each lay an egg for us daily. The kids love them, and have taught them to jump for worms and all kinds of silliness. They are very interesting to watch and we really enjoy having them around.

So I'd advise anyone who does this for a school project to find a place for the quail before even beginning. I'm not sure why they are sold to schools this way since it is illegal to release them in most places.
 

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