500 babies

[Ben Framed]

Mr Bush I am not intending to discourage you as Quail, Bobwhite in particular, is a breed of bird that I have fond memories of and miss geatly.  I went back in the archives searching for more discussion on this subject. I am posting just two post placed on one of those topics which was started in 2008. I hope you are successful in your Noble Endeavor.

Phillip


Topic:
https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=18005.msg133002#msg133002

Louisiana Game and fish web-site:
If I release some pen-reared quail, will they help restore the quail population?
Pen-reared quail usually have very low survival rates, and thus are not an effective way to restore quail populations. As part of a research project conducted on Sandy Hollow WMA in Tangipahoa Parish, 30 pen-reared female bobwhites were radio-tagged and released in good habitat. Over 50% of the birds died within 3 days of release, and 96% were dead within 30 days. In Virginia, the average survival rate of pen-reared and F-1 (one generation removed from the wild) bobwhites was less than 6 days, and all were dead within 41 days. Even wild bobwhites have mortality rates of over 75% per year. It is unrealistic to expect that birds raised in captivity would have a better chance of survival than wild birds. There are some techniques that hunting preserves use to improve survival of released birds. These may increase the survival of released birds through the hunting season, but do not appear to have a significant impact on the breeding population of bobwhites. Improving habitat is the only way to effectively increase bobwhite populations.

all of the suggestions here are good - and they generally don't work. we spent years and countless dollars on this effort, and in the end reintroducing game birds was a bust. we did have occassional coveys that would winter over, and once in a while a pheasant or two would hold out, but in the scheme of things we were never able to get anything like a sustainable, wild population. for reference, this was on approximately 250 acres of intensively managed land (feed plots, native cover, etc.) in a rural setting with surrounding farm ground. not to rain on anyone's parade, but we had the land and spent the money to make it go... and after about 7 years decided it was easier to raise them in the pen and release them before a hunt. (fyi... i was an assistant to a millionaire sportsman who funded this effort. we even had a full-time resident game manager. this was a serious effort!)

now, maybe Ohio is not the place to do this... but if anyone wants to ask about specific efforts, go ahead. seems like we tried just about everything!

good luck... and if it works i am thrilled for you. just offering the benefit of my experiences.

[Michael Bush]

Yes, unfortunately everything loves quail.  I caught a big black snake with a quail in it's belly when it swallowed one whole, twice.  I don't have the heart to kill the snake because I have too many mice.  The raccoons got into them three or four times now and killed a bunch.  I released them and for days you'd hear the red tails getting excited.  I haven't heard any bobwhites, so they may have all gotten eaten.  But when I first moved here I heard Bobwhites all the time.  Especially in the morning and evening. But then I'm having a hard time keeping the chickens alive because of the predators.  Raccoons, coyotes, foxes, opossums (caught in the act), owls, red tailed hawks, bald eagles etc.  No shortage of things that love chickens and quail.  I ordered some Jungle Fowl chicks for this spring.  Very expensive, but I'm hoping they will survive better.  I also ordered some Americauna chickens because in the past I had better luck keeping them alive than my other chickens.  I'm not sure if I'll try the quail again.  It was a huge undertaking with poor results, but then I learned a lot that I would do different now.  So maybe it would go better next time.

[Kathyp]

We have a huge bunch of quail here. For a long time, there were feral cats that kept most of the bird population down. Coyotes took care of the cats and the birds are back. We have less livestock so our place is becoming a sanctuary for birds, rabbits, and deer. Unfortunately also for hawks, owls, and coyotes.

[Ben Framed]

At least you gave it a try, I miss hearing that sound of 'Bob White" very much.. The only place I hear it now is on a video. 

https://youtu.be/S4219Wc9DSE?si=DLNVbjTTzl1QaW96

Game chickens are pretty good survivors. I have seen the hens fly like quail when coming off a nest !!  ..... We had Tojo, a half German Shepard/half Pit that was a good yard dog and took good care of the Chickens, and was a terrorizer on land varmints. Tojo, named so, because of his slightly up slanted eyes, and his fearless warrior abilities when a varmint made the mistake of coming into proximity.

[Michael Bush]

I got my current dogs when the old dog died thinking they would guard the chickens, or at least discourage the predators.  But my wife has made them indoor dogs and so far they are more of a threat to the chickens than protectors of them.

[iddee]

My dad always had from 5 to 15 fox hounds that ran free. If one killed a chicken it was the last thing he did. We never had predators. Not even two legged ones.

[Michael Bush]

>My dad always had from 5 to 15 fox hounds that ran free. If one killed a chicken it was the last thing he did. We never had predators. Not even two legged ones.

That was my plan, except I was going to have 2.  But they only go outside to relieve themselves...

[BeeMaster2]

We taught our dog Velcro to chase the chickens every time they walk on the sidewalk to help keep them from pooping on it. Now every time we walk out the door he chases them just for a few seconds then he lets them go about their business eating. Quite often he catches up to them but he doesn?t hurt them. All we have to do is point at one on the sidewalk and he runs them off.
He is an inside dog but he hears every animal that comes in the yard and will let us know and we let him out to run them off.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Mr Bush you might find the following video interesting. This lady, located in Starkville, Ms. has graciously posted an interesting video showing and explaining how she raises Bob White Quail... (I would love to have some for the freezer) a real breakfast treat!

https://youtu.be/nISFiPkrbi0?si=VVuf3EHXLmf3YlLW

[Ben Framed]

Now; if she only has a Cricket Farm! 

[Ben Framed]

We have a huge bunch of quail here. For a long time, there were feral cats that kept most of the bird population down. Coyotes took care of the cats and the birds are back. We have less livestock so our place is becoming a sanctuary for birds, rabbits, and deer. Unfortunately also for hawks, owls, and coyotes.

That's great Kathy! Is there a lot of crop farming nearby?