Raising Quail for first time...advice

[thepregnantgod]

The local feed store has about 30 baby quail (I'm guessing bob-white from pictures?!?!). We live in Florida. I'm thinking of picking up 3 to raise as semi-pets. I have a large fenced in yard and have a great deal of success raising ducks (which come and go as they choose now).

I understand the temps will be an issue and will likely bring them in at night to keep them warm. My question is: is it possible to just clip one side of their wings and let them free range in my yard? Short of a hawk swooping down to get them - if they can't fly over the six foot fence, will they be okay? After they get past the vulnerable baby stage, are they much different than just keeping 3 chickens in the back yard?

If they do get out, will they come back to the food source / nest/bed they are used to? (e.g. my ducks come back to the food and anytime I whistle).

Thanks in advance.

 

[groundpecker]

quail must be kept in a pen at all times. From my experience, most of the time they will not come back to a coop or food like a chicken or duck. Once loose and un-catchable, i consider it a lost bird.
Of course i have never tried to freerange my quail, because everything likes to eat quail.