which fertile eggs to use for broody chicken to sit on and raise that is not chicken egg

[saildog]

I want to use other eggs for broody chicken, cause I want no more chickens. Will the quail or pheasant or duck eventually just fly off? Which would be the best eggs to choose for this purpose ?
I am going to get some fertile non chicken eggs to let the broodies be mamas (I am sick of breaking the broody cycle with 50 hens it is a constant issue with at least 5 of them and I have no rooster right now, and don't want more chickens.

Any suggestions on type of eggs to choose in the knowledge that I want them to want to flee once old enough. I live in the national forest so they have ample safe wilderness.
Thank you in advance.

 

[lightchick]

I know that hens will raise ducks. It'd be OK to raise pheasant chicks and quail. I looked it up.
It looks like quail and ducks would be better though.

 

[Dogue]

If you want them to flee, you're really limited to quail or pheasants. Everything else will want to stick around for the food. And as for the quail, coturnix are probably not a good bet. Bobwhites are better if you want them to survive and leave the area.

 

[dc3085]

It is absolutely not ok to raise free range or release gamebirds that have been in contact with chickens. You could destroy entire populations of wild birds that way.

Chickens carry many diseases that they are resistant to but are fatal to game birds. Coryza, MG, Blackhead, various parasitic infections, etc.

Game birds should not be kept in contact with chickens and biosecurity should be practiced between handling chickens and them.

 

[dc3085]

This is what can happen to game birds kept in contact with chickens.

 

[lightchick]

It is absolutely not ok to raise free range or release gamebirds that have been in contact with chickens. You could destroy entire populations of wild birds that way.

Chickens carry many diseases that they are resistant to but are fatal to game birds. Coryza, MG, Blackhead, various parasitic infections, etc.

Game birds should not be kept in contact with chickens and biosecurity should be practiced between handling chickens and them.

Tons of people keep them together. I don't think it's really THAT bad.
Besides if the babies were raised by a chicken and don't get sick from her then why would any other pheasant or quail get sick?

 

[dc3085]

Tons of people keep them together. I don't think it's really THAT bad.
Besides if the babies were raised by a chicken and don't get sick from her then why would any other pheasant or quail get sick?

When you play russian roulette there may only be a 1 in 6 chance you will die, but there is still a bullet in the gun.

Anyone that releases game birds that have been in contact with chickens is being irresponsible, to put it nicely.

Chickens can raise their own young and interact with each other because they are resistant to these diseases. Game birds are in no way resistant to any of them. You do what you want with the lives of your own flock but DO NOT endanger any wild populations with your carelessness.

 

[dc3085]

I apologize for sounding so harsh but our wild populations are precious and should be taken great care with.

Read through these links and maybe you'll see where I'm coming from regarding the severity of poultry diseases. It's not that you will get one, it's that you are absolutely up the creek if you do.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/

http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disparas.htm

http://teamquail.tamu.edu/files/2010/09/Common_Gamebird_Diseases.pdf

If you'll notice most diseases they can be afflicted with can only be treated not cured. If a gamebird gets Coryza or MG it will have it forever and it will infect any bird it contacts. If a bird has Blackhead, the cecal worm that hosts the parasite can survive in dry feces for years, meaning any bird raised in that area will have access to it.

If you encounter one of these diseases just once, you'll think it's worth it to separate them. Aside from the humane handling issue involved.

Would you let your kids play with some one's Hep C kids even though, they probably won't get infected?

Edited for spelling

 

[Dragons4u]

To allow birds to be released, in most states, you have to have a permit, your animals have to be tested regularly by your state, and they can't be around any other species.
If you get caught allowing your chicken hatched ducks or quail just fly off, you could face fines or even jail time.

 

[saildog]

I appreciate the info, and it makes total sense. I will refrain from that plan and stick to chickens only.