What's your opinion on free range quail

[Quailobsessed]

Usually, it's not a good idea (you've all given very good reasons). However, I do free range some of my quails, but,

1) I always keep a close eye on them
2) I only do it in my backyard
3) I do it for short periods of time
4) I don't get many daytime predators around here
5) I only free range my very tame japanese quails that hardly ever fly

I still agree with everything you all said and I wouldn't recommend free ranging quails to anyone who isn't sure what they're doing.

 

[Severne]

I actually had one escape and fly 73 feet, I’m a nut so I just had to measure it. IT WAS CRAZY, I luckily caught the quail.

 

[Rooapalooza]

I keep 8 TxA&M coturnix in a 7'x 4' cage on the ground outside. I used to have 12. Some have escaped a couple times, usually while I'm cleaning it. Unfortunately when they escaped they flew into the neighbors' lawn, straight into the jaws of a very excited bird dog. The dog is very sweet and actually brought two birds back to me, one alive and one dead, but there was at least once that she ate a quail.

It's impressive because we have a 8' cattle fence between us. The gaps are big enough for a quail to squeeze through, but the two times they escaped while I was out there cleaning, they flew over it. It's at least a 50' horizontal flight, and like I said, 8' tall. That's high enough and far enough to make free ranging almost impossible for most people. They won't come back on their own, and they can be difficult to catch even if you know where they are. If you aren't watching them I don't think it would be possible to find them.

Quail are great prey for hawks. They are almost the perfect size for a decent meal that the average hawk can actually carry off. I've lost one that way, and it happened right in front of me.

You can keep them free-range-ish, if you build a big enough enclosure that is covered well on top with hardware cloth everywhere, since even small rats can kill quail. I have to move my cage around every week or so since it gets poopy, and I have 3.5 sq ft per bird. If you had an enclosure with more than 15 sq ft per bird and plants/tall grass/dirt I would say that's basically free range.

 

[TexasBlues]

Is it not possible to raise coturnix quail like chickens to free range in the fenced yard during the day and return to a safe coop at night?
I was planning on hatching a bunch of quail and raising them in my yard the same way I raised the chickens. Am I being totally naive?

 

[Nabiki]

Is it not possible to raise coturnix quail like chickens to free range in the fenced yard during the day and return to a safe coop at night?
I was planning on hatching a bunch of quail and raising them in my yard the same way I raised the chickens. Am I being totally naive?

Only if you want to lose them. They won't come home like chickens do, and EVERYTHING likes to eat quail.

 

[RUNuts]

Is it not possible to raise coturnix quail like chickens to free range in the fenced yard during the day and return to a safe coop at night?
I was planning on hatching a bunch of quail and raising them in my yard the same way I raised the chickens. Am I being totally naive?

Agree with Nabiki. They are small, fit through small openings and will sleep in the middle of your yard. The owls, rats, mice, raccoons, cats, dogs and hawks will be very happy if you aren't 100% covered with roofing or netting.

In short, yes, it's possible to raise them but you are just making a larger enclosed coop. Have you considered hoop tractors or movable coops?

 

[CliftonQuail]

Is it not possible to raise coturnix quail like chickens to free range in the fenced yard during the day and return to a safe coop at night?
I was planning on hatching a bunch of quail and raising them in my yard the same way I raised the chickens. Am I being totally naive?

I agree with Nabiki and RUNuts. If you let coturnix loose, they will most likely fly away and become a meal for the nearest predator. The best you could do is a hoop coop/tractor or some other enclosed/predator proof setup.

 

[TexasBlues]

Ok, I’ll have to give it a go myself and see what happens.

 

[007Sean]

Is it not possible to raise coturnix quail like chickens to free range in the fenced yard during the day and return to a safe coop at night?
I was planning on hatching a bunch of quail and raising them in my yard the same way I raised the chickens. Am I being totally naive?

Yes!!!

 

[TexasBlues]

I’m confused when you say they don’t come home. What’s the point of a Johnny house then? I’m sure there some attrition during acclimation.