Raising one abandoned baby quail to release it… Have questions!

[LizW]

In early July a 1-2 day old baby California quail came wobbling up to me. After a few hours trying to leave it alone to see if he’d go back to family, I started worrying about predators so I gave in. I scooped it up. I’ve been raising it to release as soon as it’s big enough. It’s just about 5 weeks old now. Seems super healthy and is very active. I’ve had some suggest I wait till fall to release it (that would be another 7 weeks away). My concern is that although it’s doing well, it’s not around any other quail to learn from. I started with zero experience with baby birds but read up on this quail a lot. He’s in a large tote with a brooder most of the day … I have mirrors all around it and used dirt, branches and rocks to make it more like outdoors…. It has a small outdoor enclosure that I set him in for a few hours a day….hes able to eat dandelions and bugs and has a dust bathtub… its enough room to hop around comfortably. I’m wondering if it would be better for him if I let him go a little sooner… Half of me thinks he’d benefit from learning to protect himself with his instincts…. The other half fears the worst… I let him go and a hawk swoops down and snatched him up
I’ve gotten so attached, I’m screwed. But I know I can’t keep him. I feel guilty for how lonely he must be. I guess I’m curious if anyone has any advice… how long to keep him and where to let him go. I’m going to have a hard time if I release him and he doesn’t quickly run or fly away… I’m afraid he’ll stay close to me and I won’t be able to walk away and I realize I sound like a crazy person right now … but I love this bird.
Any pointers???

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! I wish I knew what to tell you about the details of releasing your cute Quail! I have no experience at that. Your best bet would be to start a new thread about it. I get it about getting attached to a bird! Chickens affect people the same way! Good luck!

 

[PeaShack]

Hi, I’m sure there may be lots of opinions, but it doesn’t look like this little one would do well in the wild having bonded with you, a person. There are people who keep them as pets and hatching eggs are readily available for California quail on eBay. They are legal to keep as pets in California as well.

God sent you this little one…What a precious little thing! I say love him for keeps, throw out any doubts or guilt, and enjoy your sweet little pet.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Liz, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I would contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for advice and assistance. Good luck.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! I don't think you are crazy at all. Its just as easy to become attached to birds as it is to any other pet. At this time he or she is your pet. I wouldn't be able to release him, myself. I'd just keep him. Birds, in my opinion, can bond with their people. While he might enjoy being with other birds, he is bonded with you.

 

[C Siena]

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome.

Ask your question in the Quail forum and also contact local wildlife group/groups for their advice. The chick must already have a type of bond with you, as it doesn't have it owns kind. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/quail.48/

This is a wonderful site on which to Learn and enjoy. We are pleased to have you in the community.

 

[Bsmac]

Welcome to BYC! I don't think you are crazy at all. Its just as easy to become attached to birds as it is to any other pet. At this time he or she is your pet. I wouldn't be able to release him, myself. I'd just keep him. Birds, in my opinion, can bond with their people. While he might enjoy being with other birds, he is bonded with you.

Absolutely right! We have all bonded with our birds and them with us!

 

[Pigeony]

Welcome to BYC! It's amazing you managed to keep a single wild quail alive through the fragile hatchling stage, that's very difficult to do and I'm impressed. But, at this point, your quail is completely nonreleaseable. If you release him as he is now, he will just get predated on shortly because he has no other quails to warn him of danger and no experience with being in the wild. Quail flock together because there's safety in numbers and all the quails help alert to danger, they're just not meant to be wild alone, and your quail no longer knows how to "speak" wild quail. A wildlife rehabber may be able to put your bird with a group of other quail, let them bond, and later release them together, but your quail might just prefer people at this point. The bird will almost certainly be better off as a pet after being raised alone so long, I suggest you keep it or find someone else who wants a hand-raised pet quail.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
I have no experience whatsoever with quail. I do agree to contact your state wildlife management division.
In the meantime, there are knowledgeable people who can help.
Feel free to post your questions here on the “Quail” forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/quail.48/

 

[C Siena]

Welcome to BYC! It's amazing you managed to keep a single wild quail alive through the fragile hatchling stage, that's very difficult to do and I'm impressed. But, at this point, your quail is completely nonreleaseable. If you release him as he is now, he will just get predated on shortly because he has no other quails to warn him of danger and no experience with being in the wild. Quail flock together because there's safety in numbers and all the quails help alert to danger, they're just not meant to be wild alone, and your quail no longer knows how to "speak" wild quail. A wildlife rehabber may be able to put your bird with a group of other quail, let them bond, and later release them together, but your quail might just prefer people at this point. The bird will almost certainly be better off as a pet after being raised alone so long, I suggest you keep it or find someone else who wants a hand-raised pet quail.

It's worth the time to contact a local 4H, zoo and check fb groups that might deal with quail. If they deal with chickens/poultry, someone in the group may have quail.