So, we've got about 10 acres in North Louisiana around our house. We've got tons of landscaped flower beds, azaleas, hollys, shrubs, etc and plenty of natural cover around the perimeter of the property. We dont have cats (wild or domestic) and a few small pups, but nothing I'd call a predator. I'd like to put out a few dozen young quail (10 weeks or so) just to kinda have around and listen to. Not interested in popping off at them, just think they'd be a nice addition.

I fully expect to lose a few to the elements or hawks or something, but with good cover, good food, and very little pressure, cant imagine why it wouldnt work.

Anybody know anything about sustaining quail populations? Any reason that this wouldnt work?

ETA: Moving to Outdoor Board

This post was edited on 4/6/12 at 9:21 pm

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Posted by lathoroughbred

Louisiana/Kentucky

Member since May 2008

8096 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 9:20 pm to TheGreat318

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Posted by Jim Rockford

Member since May 2011

98443 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 9:37 pm to TheGreat318

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Posted by AggieDisaster

The Lone Star State

Member since Jan 2012

26 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 9:43 pm to Jim Rockford

Pen raised quail are usually about 1/8 native. They will live however, they die off at a faster rate mainly because they lack the skillz to survive. IF you put out water and corn or milo for a while they will hang around. Keep in mind everything eats them! If you can buy some from a farm that has them in a pen that they can fly around in they have a better chance... Also, if you can provide "transitions" from really short cover, intermediate to tall cover, it helps allot.

This post was edited on 4/6/12 at 9:47 pm

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Posted by Cracker

in a box

Member since Nov 2009

17812 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 9:51 pm to AggieDisaster

survival rate of quail in general is less than 30% you might be able to use a johnny house and call them back in to keep them protected but Hawks are deadly on quail. go ahead and do it they are cheep and it might work out for a while .

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Posted by Dooshay

CEBA

Member since Jun 2011

29879 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 10:14 pm to TheGreat318

Had to

at this on the rant.

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Posted by wickowick

Head of Island

Member since Dec 2006

45829 posts

Posted on 4/6/12 at 11:08 pm to TheGreat318

Wild and pen raised birds show little difference between the two from hatching up until about 6 weeks of age. After this point the pen raised birds quickly loose their ability to survive in the wild. If you are going to try it, the younger birds have a much better chance for survival...

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