Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Yesterday visiting a guy with goats, he had a bunch of quail. Gave me a cock and two hens. I put them in a cage in the chicken house to get used to things here. They went out into the chicken population through the wire, they are smaller than you think. Then outside. Did not come into the coop last eve. I hear them outside, but don't see them.

Are they likely to survive and or stay around here? Anyone with quail knowledge, please chime in. Predict the future.

You should be able to walk right up to them and pick them up if you see them .They will not survive outside for the same reason, easy pickings.

Are these courtinex quail or button quail? Either way they won't survive on their own for long.

Yes, what @kenya said. I hope you can catch them soon, because they won't be around for long.

Caught the two hens. Have not seen my cock. Hoping they might call him in. I don't know quail, so don't know if they are button or courtnix. About the size of a 3 wk chick, but about twice as heavy as you would expect them to be.

So there is pretty much no way to let them free range with/like chickens? What about through winter? I am thinking I might have a couple quail to give away.

Great as table fare Farrier specially the breasts . Pics?

No way to let them free range, sorry. They do well being pastured in the warmer months in pred proof tractors or in an aviary setup. They need shelter from wind and elements in the winter. Will post our setup soon if you're interested. Too bad you're so far away. I can probably take on a few more hens.

They can handle the winter fine as long as they are out of the wind, they don't have to be inside.
They are great for eggs the hens lay an egg every single day.

Thanks everyone. Now down to one hen. One got out in the yard and the dog killed it. I think someone a few miles away have quail and she can go there maybe.

I am pretty disgusted with myself for getting them and not doing a better job, being knowledgeable and prepared. Not brilliant.