Tips for making bobwhites more wild?

[cjmills1]

Wondering if anyone has any tips, tricks, strategies or insights into how I can make bobwhites I'm raising (chick to adult) for release more prepared for the wild? I have been working considerably for a while to improve the quail habitat on my land. However, my property is surrounded by other properties with poor quail habitat, thus the likelihood of wild quail ever ending up back on my land on their own is slim, especially in the near future. I am aware mortality rates are high and blah, blah, blah, I have no issue with doing supplementary releases every year. However, I want these birds to have the best shot possible at surviving and I have time to pay them a good amount of personal attention. Any tips from extra nutrients, pen fixtures, pre release tactics etc. I'm all ears. Thanks you! P.S- Sorry, I understand this is a poultry forum, not a hunting forum, but I figured there was liable to be a good amount of expertise on here anyways!

 

[Tony K T]

The problem is if you hatch them ,brood them,this means you are feeding them so they become dependent on you for water and food.Not knowing how to get food on their own in the wild will definetly be a problem.Try releasing all but 1 male(caller),and keep him in a call back cage.Each day change the caller so all know what is around them.If no predators get them,after a few weeks maybe they will be ready.A call back cage is like a lobster trap with an opening for them to get in but not out.The opening is pointed slightly upwards so when they get in they can't walk right out,the end of the ramp should be at least 3" from the bottom of the cage.Is there any natural feed in your area for them?I am assuming there are plenty of insects around so that is a plus for a food supply.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Invision]

Wondering if anyone has any tips, tricks, strategies or insights into how I can make bobwhites I'm raising (chick to adult) for release more prepared for the wild? I have been working considerably for a while to improve the quail habitat on my land. However, my property is surrounded by other properties with poor quail habitat, thus the likelihood of wild quail ever ending up back on my land on their own is slim, especially in the near future. I am aware mortality rates are high and blah, blah, blah, I have no issue with doing supplementary releases every year. However, I want these birds to have the best shot possible at surviving and I have time to pay them a good amount of personal attention. Any tips from extra nutrients, pen fixtures, pre release tactics etc. I'm all ears. Thanks you! P.S- Sorry, I understand this is a poultry forum, not a hunting forum, but I figured there was liable to be a good amount of expertise on here anyways!

Nope.