Raising, and releasing Quail

[mmizell]

I have some grown Georgia Giants, and I am wanting to when the weather warms up turn them out.. but keep several to call them back. Any tips or advise on this would be awesome.
Lindy

 

[PurpleChicken]

Check your local laws. Releasing them may be illegal.


Now, from personal experience, we have several wild Coturnix living
around our house.

They stay around but have never tried
to get in the barn where we keep our quail.

Quail don't seem to have the homing instinct chickens do.

Best of luck. I'm interested in how it works out for you.

 

[chicknmania]

Don't know about the kind you have, but a state wildlife guy told me once that bobwhite quail will not do well free ranging, as they wander off, even if you keep some to call them back. And, he said they are not very predator wary, either. For what it's worth.

 

[chickiepoo2]

I've had many bobwhite escape. When I had one or two get out they would always come back to home. When I had several (no clue how many) I never saw them around their coop. Later in the month I saw bobwhites that I was almost certain where mine running through the pastures. I've seen a few with babies and in early fall some juvenile birds. Overall I thought the escapees did okay. Obviously I don't really know the overall outcome. Periodically I'd see them. When i would see the bobwhites they ran from me and flew away from my boxer. Hopefully I'll see some this spring.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Bobwhites that are cage raised do not fair well in the wild. They dont have the instincts as wild quail born in the wild do. But not sure what kind of quail you are talking about.

 

[Akane]

Georgia Giants are a type of bobwhite. I doubt they'd survive. The survival rate of released quail is very very low anyway. That's when using the standard type, raising them to be released, and making sure to grow enough ideal habitat for them. It's not so simple as just letting them out of their cage into the wild. It also may be illegal.

 

[redhen]

i think its cruel to release these birds...they dont have the benifit of a wild mom to show them how to survive in the wilderness...its simply not right..sorry...its not natural....just cull them and be done with it..so they dont suffer in the wild..as others have said..they dont have the instincts to survive... i do respect and understand what you are tyring to do though...best wishes, wendy

 

[deerman]

The larger bobwhites like your dont fly as well, as the normal bobwhites.

I do release mine, I start releasing a few pair in june when they are laying so the can hatch a nest. Lots of feed and bugs at that time also.
Plus they lay their eggs and start their nest near. Do keep a few around in pens for call birds.

We lose alot of the wild Bobs here in Ohio Winter.
Released birds we lose about 80% in the winter. Trying my best to keep wild flocks going.
I also do the same with ringnecks release when they are laying.

Here in Ohio you can release both, but not Wild Turkey. You do need a permit to raised them.

Best to release in the northern state, are the Northern Bobwhite.

The giants and other will not make it.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Yes sometime it can be cruel. Just look at the Peregine Falcon, we had none east of the Mississippi River. Now we have them Back, thanks to them beong released back into the wild.


Big thing some time more harm can be done than good. Releasing birds not native, is a BIG NO NO. Like free ranging Turkey that will breed with the wild turkeys.

Releasing the Giants would be bad as they will breed with the wild Bobs, which are Northern Bobwhite here.

The starling got their start by a lady releasing 13 in NY central park, now we have billons as pest, and they took over nesting homes of native birds like bluebirds,and etc.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Some very interesting points and perspectives here.

I agree the large Bobwhites wouldn't do well. Stealth and flght are
a quails only defense. Bobwhites do neither well.

The few Coturnix that we have around our house are escapees. We
have recovered at least 50% of them, usually by chance or we hear them.
Coturnix are not native so the impact on local birds is a possible concern
but it's more likely they will be eaten by our local birds.

Most gamebirds are raised for hunting. A truck will literally drop a few
thousand at a hunting club and they will be used for dog training and
target practice. Many hunters I have talked to don't even "bother" to
eat them. Draw your own conclusions on this one. I am not bashing
hunters. We raise dozens of Coturnix and eat them. I would not be
against releasing our extras, hunting them, and then eating them.
It's sorta a dual purpose thing.