Post by: Angry Perch on May 17, 2021, 08:33:23 AM
Post by: ellensburgpo on May 17, 2021, 08:38:41 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 17, 2021, 08:41:35 AM
I out bird seed mix from the hardware store and they hammer it. There’s tons of natural food but they still will eat the store stuff.
Are you using a feeder, spreading it on the ground, or?
Post by: Fishmaker57 on May 17, 2021, 08:49:16 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 17, 2021, 08:56:41 AM
We have been feeding Quail every winter for the last 13 years, and it seems to maintain our groups at very healthy levels. Our feeders is a 55 gallon drum, as we hold around 250 - 300 Quail at any one time. We only feed once the snow is on the ground, as there is ample habitat and feed until that point. Several things you can do to help with increasing the numbers of birds, some of which you mentioned. Brush piles are great, as they can evade predators and gives them a place to get out of the weather. Racoons, Opossum, Crows, and Magpies are a big problem, as they are egg stealing machines, and will pick on the young. When putting up feeders, make sure you put sheep fence or some other barrier around them, so Deer / Elk don't eat it all. One thing we have learned, both through reading books on the subject, and our own experience, is that you can only increase the population to a certain extent. Habitat and predation will keep things at a certain level, but feeding is key once the weather sets in.
Thanks for the great info. As far as fence around the feeder, I was also planning on some type of screen over the top, as they'll be easy pickings for the hawks.
Post by: ellensburgpo on May 17, 2021, 09:07:39 AM
I out bird seed mix from the hardware store and they hammer it. There’s tons of natural food but they still will eat the store stuff.
Are you using a feeder, spreading it on the ground, or?
My kids just throw it out on the ground in an area they use. My dad does the same thing at his place and they learn where it’ll be. They like doing it so no reason to make it more complicated by getting a feeder.
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2021, 10:13:47 AM
That and do everything in your power to kill of predators.
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Post by: Fl0und3rz on May 17, 2021, 10:14:13 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 17, 2021, 10:28:02 AM
Ive done some research on this as well. One of the brush pile designs was a log cabin fire styked stacking of 4-6" logs then tossing the brush over the top some designes secured thenlogs together then places a piece if tin or plywood over top to keep the pule dry. This may be less of an issue depending upon if your in the rain shadow or not..
That and do everything in your power to kill of predators.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
I've seen that as well. Some use a stack of pallets, but I'm not leaving old pallets laying around the joint.
Post by: ellensburgpo on May 17, 2021, 11:15:31 AM
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2021, 12:26:24 PM
I belive pallets are a better solution on the East side where they are less prone to rot as quickly. If i were so inclined i would debark notch and pin logs 3 tall and cap with something rain proof. Perhaps drill a hole and pin with a short chunk of rebar then brush up.Ive done some research on this as well. One of the brush pile designs was a log cabin fire styked stacking of 4-6" logs then tossing the brush over the top some designes secured thenlogs together then places a piece if tin or plywood over top to keep the pule dry. This may be less of an issue depending upon if your in the rain shadow or not..
That and do everything in your power to kill of predators.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
I've seen that as well. Some use a stack of pallets, but I'm not leaving old pallets laying around the joint.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2021, 12:28:24 PM
Tag. I'd like to foster a bevy or two here. I'd noticed here that they like thickets and for landscaping shrubs, evergreen, low ground covers, and a few take up residence in a neioghbor's dwarf ornamental evergreen, maybe a fir, with the limbs down low.In the cold NE ive read that keeping snow off them in the pile and a thick pile of brush helps keep the wind chill down and drifing snow out. I think that is why you often see them in ornamental trees like you describe.
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Post by: nwwanderer on May 17, 2021, 12:43:15 PM
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2021, 01:16:15 PM
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Post by: nwwanderer on May 17, 2021, 01:46:01 PM
Post by: Forks on May 17, 2021, 06:33:04 PM
Post by: Man Tracker on May 17, 2021, 07:15:32 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 18, 2021, 08:45:31 AM
Great book on the subject, "The California Quail, by A. Starker Leopold (son of Aldo). Lots of good info on quail, even if it a little aged.
Looks like a good resource. Just ordered a copy.
Thanks!
Post by: baldopepper on May 18, 2021, 08:59:27 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on May 21, 2021, 01:41:45 PM
Tried feeding them around my place but seemed to be a predator magnet. Hawks mostly but had to also dispatch a few feral cats that appeared. Don't know why some people think it's ok to drop cats/kittens off in the country side but they are really rough on quail and other small birds. Don't have any homes really nearby so don't know how else they can keep showing up.
My wife adores cats, until they get close to a bird feeder. Then it's open season!
Post by: Rainier10 on May 21, 2021, 01:48:19 PM
I was told pallets are the way to go, "quail condos".Ive done some research on this as well. One of the brush pile designs was a log cabin fire styked stacking of 4-6" logs then tossing the brush over the top some designes secured thenlogs together then places a piece if tin or plywood over top to keep the pule dry. This may be less of an issue depending upon if your in the rain shadow or not..
That and do everything in your power to kill of predators.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
I've seen that as well. Some use a stack of pallets, but I'm not leaving old pallets laying around the joint.
I was also told "the real key is to kill every raptor you see". :yike:
I would suggest you only follow the first tip, that second one is not a good idea.
Post by: Birdguy on May 23, 2021, 07:59:12 PM
Post by: Mech on May 28, 2021, 03:56:06 PM
Most of the property is forest and bush.
The only thing we really don’t have is water.
How can I get by that?
Would a drip system to a couple of pans work?
Thanks.
Post by: rasbo on May 28, 2021, 05:13:32 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on June 07, 2021, 10:08:58 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on June 14, 2021, 09:32:03 AM
Post by: Birdguy on June 14, 2021, 07:44:26 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on June 16, 2021, 10:36:16 AM
Liking the idea and efforts! The auto water source is awesome! If it were me I would make that cage around the feeder BIGGER to protect the birds a bit more, maybe build some even "fake" cover into the tree branches so the birds have a better escape route to real cover. I would also watch the tree for hawks and consider topping it to not give the birds of prey a perfect perch right above the feeder. It must have been really rewarding to watch them come right in to your special project!!
I agree on the cage. It is just a sheet of rebar mesh, so I worked with what I had. I have 50 bare root vine maples heeled in waiting to be planted in the fall (along with 10 Serviceberry and 40 Nootka Rose) as additional thickets throughout the property. I think I'll plant a few of the maples around the pond/ feeder and train them to arch over it and provide some shelter. Immediately to the right of the feeder is a patch of Nootka Rose about 20' x 50'. They love to hang out in there, as it's virtually impenetrable from the top.
Post by: Birdguy on June 16, 2021, 05:23:11 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on June 16, 2021, 07:31:22 PM
Solid plan! I love it! Best of luck to you!
Thanks Birdguy. :tup:
Post by: Angry Perch on June 17, 2021, 11:25:30 AM
Post by: Fishmaker57 on June 17, 2021, 01:02:37 PM
Post by: Birdguy on June 17, 2021, 03:56:52 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on June 17, 2021, 04:20:44 PM
Scratch or cracked corn is good for winter and supplemental other times but the corn will put fat on them and can reduce their ability to reproduce. They sell gamebird seed blocks that will sustain them and last a long time. They will likely just stop in from time to time outside of winter but keep an eye on how often they are and how much they are eating. Watch the numbers and make sure your predators aren't just eating your efforts.
Great info. Thanks.
Predators are my main concern, as the place is lousy with hawks and those white headed crows. :o
Post by: Birdguy on June 17, 2021, 06:13:27 PM
Scratch or cracked corn is good for winter and supplemental other times but the corn will put fat on them and can reduce their ability to reproduce. They sell gamebird seed blocks that will sustain them and last a long time. They will likely just stop in from time to time outside of winter but keep an eye on how often they are and how much they are eating. Watch the numbers and make sure your predators aren't just eating your efforts.
Great info. Thanks.
Predators are my main concern, as the place is lousy with hawks and those white headed crows. :o
Hopefully the white headed crows will be feasting on the neighbors chickens as they are a much bigger better meal! The hawks is what to watch and any raccoons, cats etc. That is why I say watch that tree top, hawks will be quite visible until you train them. :tup:
Post by: Angry Perch on June 17, 2021, 09:59:46 PM
Scratch or cracked corn is good for winter and supplemental other times but the corn will put fat on them and can reduce their ability to reproduce. They sell gamebird seed blocks that will sustain them and last a long time. They will likely just stop in from time to time outside of winter but keep an eye on how often they are and how much they are eating. Watch the numbers and make sure your predators aren't just eating your efforts.
Great info. Thanks.
Predators are my main concern, as the place is lousy with hawks and those white headed crows. :o
Hopefully the white headed crows will be feasting on the neighbors chickens as they are a much bigger better meal! The hawks is what to watch and any raccoons, cats etc. That is why I say watch that tree top, hawks will be quite visible until you train them. :tup:
I've seen raccoons, bobcats and domestic cats on my trail camera. My first order of business is to give them plenty of cover by planting thickets.
Post by: Angry Perch on June 21, 2021, 08:56:49 AM
Post by: Lady Grouse hunter on September 14, 2021, 09:40:32 PM
Post by: Axle on September 15, 2021, 07:05:45 AM
Post by: Lady Grouse hunter on September 15, 2021, 10:01:14 AM
WE have "EGG stealing Raven's,"
They come in almost every morning to steal our neighbors chick eggs, fly high, drop them in our pasture, then just lick that yolk up!!! :yike: :tup:
Post by: Angry Perch on September 15, 2021, 01:12:21 PM
:yeah: Hey guys, gals We aren't suppot feed or encrurraged them in whay, shape or forum......
Huh?
Post by: buckfvr on September 15, 2021, 04:30:44 PM
:yeah: Hey guys, gals We aren't suppot feed or encrurraged them in whay, shape or forum......
Huh?
No kidding huh....... :hunt2:
Post by: nwwanderer on September 20, 2021, 04:41:25 PM