adding young quail to old

[debbates]

I'm trying to put about 150 bobwhite quail chicks (6 week olds) into a large (12 X 75') pen with about 30 older bobwhites.  The older birds chase the chicks and peck at them....so far I've only let about 25 chicks out to see what would happen, not good results.  If I provide a lot of cover, and let all the young birds out, will the older birds leave the younger ones alone, or is this useless?  Do I have to move the older ones out?  Any suggestions?

[rushcreek]

Quail are very territorial. They won't leave them alone and they will kill the new younger birds. (Believe me. I know this from experience.)
 It can be done, but you'll have to move all of the older birds out of your pen for a few days. Change things around in the pen a little. Maybe move the waterers or feeders, add some brush. Then put all of your birds in at the same time. The older birds will not remember that it was their pen.
 Hope this helps a little.

[jchiar]

just as rushcreek said do not mix new birds with old unless you remove them all from pen and replace them at the same time and this does not work 100%

[mollymalone]

thanks ,i was sbout to ask that question

[debbates]

I moved almost all of the big birds to a little cage and then changed the big cage around (pruned the vines and added brush for cover.  I let the little birds out first then a few hours later let out the older ones.  It's been 3 days and I haven't seen anyone getting picked on.  The older birds don't seem to be bothered with the younger ones.  Now if I can just find a way to get rid of the ground squirrels, I be in quail heaven....

[jchiar]

.17 cal works great