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Author Topic: releasing birds  (Read 19564 times)
jgalo
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« on: June 30, 2008, 03:30:15 PM »

I am starting a project like Iowan. Trying to release quail, chukar and pheasants on our ranch in South Texas. Been reading this forum and it has been very helpful in limiting my mistakes. Brooding Georgia Giants now 2 weeks old. Going to move them to a new box like the surrogator in the field by the ranch house for three weeks. The box is 10' long with 4' just like the brooder they in now with an opening so they can go out into the other 6' that is just wire. Any suggestion?  When do you switch from starter food. They sold me # 4 legband. They seem small for the Giants.  Will probably fit the Valley's. Have put water and feeders around the area and have wild quail here. Thinking about trying to trap some wild quail to put in the box before the release. Anyone tried that or is it a bad idea.
Needing all the help I can get
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wildergamebirds
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« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2008, 03:41:28 PM »

Thinking about trying to trap some wild quail to put in the box before the release. Anyone tried that or is it a bad idea.
Needing all the help I can get

  Good way to get birds killed.  Won't really help, anyway (they will find the wild ones in open country).  And......... It is probably illegal, anyway, even though you plan to re-release them, how would you prove those intensions?
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citypickle
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« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2008, 09:54:36 PM »

I agree with Wildgamebirds at 6 weeks to 8weeks turn them loose let them  go !!!
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CharlieHorse
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Northern Bobwhites

« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2008, 12:16:07 AM »

I've always released at 5-6 weeks in good weather.

Putting strange birds together is certain death to them, let alone the undo stress.

I'd cut out the "starter " feed about the day I released them.  Make sense?  I'd give them some wild bird seed for a week or more prior to their release to get them accustom to what they're going to be eating in the "wild".   Make sure they've been wet down several times, given grit and then greens also.  They like a few shovels full of sod with tall vegetation to root around in too.

Do some searching around on the forum for more info




Good Luck.........and   s016
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wildergamebirds
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« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2008, 12:22:54 AM »


I'd cut out the "starter " feed about the day I released them. 

  I'll add that one reason to use the starter all the way through in this case, is to put every hairs worth of feathers possible on them to help with the sudden temperature swings that surprise them when released.  Maybe Milo as the seed, to add a little fat just before release.

  The rest os Charlie's post makes perfect sense, too.
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slider
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What do you mean I have to press 1 for english.

« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2008, 07:34:30 AM »

Release them early in the morning so they will have all day to get used to there surroundings before they go to roost. And do not flush them out just let them drift out on their own..
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Pheasant Hollow Farm
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« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2008, 08:03:35 AM »

Release them early in the morning so they will have all day to get used to there surroundings before they go to roost. And do not flush them out just let them drift out on their own..

Excellent reminder  s98 A lot of people are in a rush to retrieve their crates and by chasing them out they will scatter.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
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Specializing in Manchurian Ring-necked Pheasants and Melanistic Mutant Pheasants for release, propagation and the hunting community. Licensed by the State of WV. DNR# D6-42-23-GF1
jgalo
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« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2008, 11:13:21 AM »

thanks for the input. What about the legband size. I only need to band the GGBW. Also got 200 Chukars ready to hatch. I understand that are shy birds and like to pile so I am building a round cage from an old polypipe spool. 

Thanks again
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wildergamebirds
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« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2008, 11:26:24 AM »


  Sorry, meant to address the band issue.  I have used #4 bands on Georgia Giants.   The plastic coils will expand a little, if needed, and you can use the aluminum bands, and not crimp them completely, but its not a major worry, in my experience.  I sure don't band anywhere near all mine, anyway, so others may have had different experiences.

  Chukars can find a "piling-up" corner in a silo!  You are right to try to keep everything rounded off.  A radio helps, if you have a true 24hr station.  It helps disguise sounds from outside.  If you have a lot of thunderstorms, a CD player would be better.
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slider
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What do you mean I have to press 1 for english.

« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2008, 12:37:45 PM »

It works good on keeping coons away also...try a Little Richard CD they hate him....
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jgalo
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« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2008, 10:00:59 PM »

Thanks for everyones help.  I will keep you posted on the successes or failures.
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wildergamebirds
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« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2008, 10:48:27 PM »


  We don't want to hear anything about failures, if they happen while following our advice.
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CharlieHorse
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Northern Bobwhites

« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2008, 12:13:54 PM »


  We don't want to hear anything about failures, if they happen while following our advice.

 :cool:  Exactly!   :grin:
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jgalo
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« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2008, 05:04:11 AM »

Well I move a 40 bird test batch to there new home at the ranch.  They are less than three weeks old and they sure can fly.  These birds are much more active than the first batch I raised.  The first batch was raised in those GQF stackable brooders.  In there for 5 weeks.  When I released them they just stayed there and would not fly.  Came back sometime later and they were still sitting there.  These birds were raised in a 3 x 8 x 2 homemade box and can't wait to get out. Placed them in a 4 x4 x2 brooder box connected to 4 x 8 x 4 wire cage.  The cage is on the ground.  Grass was sticking thru the bottom wire and I put several shovels full of dirt and sod on top so they could dust and peck as suggested.  They were happy as could be.  I had to keep these in the horse barn because I am leery of the design not being coon and hog proof.  These birds seem like they could make it on their own already if it doesn't rain.  I am afraid they are going to tame up being around people.  They take cover when you walk up but if you just stand there they start to move around again.  Going to reinforce the cage so I can move it out in the brush.  What type of bulk feeder do you recommend to keep contact to a minimum?  I don't want a feed problem like one of the other post I read where all but one died due to a clog.  I can fill water without opening box already.  I will keep you posted.  I am anxious to see how the make it thru their first night.
Also bought some spiral leg bands.  Worthless.  They stretch-out and won't retighten.  I will have to check where I bought them.
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CharlieHorse
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Northern Bobwhites

« Reply #14 on: July 03, 2008, 08:02:33 AM »

Hope you have some sort of heat on them?  Otherwise, it must be good and warm throughout the day and night where you're at?

Quote
These birds are much more active than the first batch I raised.

I doubt that has anything to do with the brooding arrangements, I've noticed a considerable difference in behavioral charctaristics in birds purchased from different sources.



 

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