Quail in yard with no babies.

**perchplucker** · 08-01-2012, 09:43 AM

Was in the garden last evening watering the stuff I am trying to keep going and a pair of quail went right through the yard. The went over to the fence line and messed around there the whole time I was out watering. They were only about 15 ft. from me and knew I was there. Whenever I would move they would take a few quick steps but then go back to trying to find something to eat. They didn't have a young ones with them. Yes it was 1 female and 1 male. they weren't afraid of me but was more interested in finding food. They scratched and scratched but couldn't see them finding anything. If they had any babies hatch out they probably starved to death or died in the heat. I bet those little guys are having a hard time finding much to eat. I don't see any bugs at all and don't know if there are many seeds for them to eat. I do have feed and water out. I throw chicken scratch feed out which is chopped corn and milo. Plus have a shallow pan that I keep water in. The rabbits, squirrels, doves and other birds seem to be loving it. I bet all critters are going to have a hard winter with not much to eat.

**beagle man** · 08-01-2012, 12:44 PM

that sounds pretty normal, you would be surprised how much food is on the ground now, as for the young there probably there, but in the underbrush, quail get most of there water first thing in the morning, dew permitting, or from the bugs they eat, less water is better than lots of rain, I think. I hope your wildlife fares well up north, with the price of corn and sunflower seeds the deer and birds are gonna have a hard candy christmas in Barry Co. this year.... if you see them little ones let us know....

**Kit Papermouth** · 08-01-2012, 01:14 PM

Accordin' to my Grandad years ago.
He says quail need morning dews or a water source for the eggs to hatch proper.
The moisture collects on the birds breast feathers and when they sit over the nests the water conditions the eggs to crack easier for the chicks.
Dry years are bad for hatches.
Grandad wasn't a biologist though.

G.

**perchplucker** · 08-01-2012, 02:06 PM

If there was babies I would have seen them. They went right through the yard by our gas tank. I was within 20 ft. of them while they walked through the bare ground. No place for babies to hide there.

**ripnlips** · 08-01-2012, 05:41 PM

I have seen more baby turkeys this year then I remember in most years hope the quail do as well. Maybe this late they were trying for a second hatch?

**claybuster** · 08-01-2012, 11:08 PM

More brushy fence rows and less hawks makes for a fried quail and taters supper. They got to have cover.

**Speck** · 08-02-2012, 07:18 AM

I had a big covey living in the woods behind my shop. I would watch them march into my field every evening. The neighbor girls made it their mission to bring home every stray cat they could find. Quail disappeared and we had feral cats everywhere!!!
Well the kitties started disappearing after a while but my quail never came back.

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