Quail as Pets

We went to visit my parents this past weekend in Southern Utah. They live on the edge of the desert and have taken to feeding the local covey of quail. We enjoyed breakfast on the patio and watched as the Quail would come into feed on the free buffet. It was fun to hear them call and I couldn’t help but think of grabbing my shotgun and taking the dogs out for a romp. The neighbors would call the cops in a minute, and my parents would banish me forever. But, still the thought did cross my mind. I would guess that some of the best Quail coveys in the southwest are considered pets for the homeowners that choose to live on the edge of suburbia. They bathe in the water features and dine daily on the mountains of wild bird seed tossed into the brush. There is nothing cuter than a Momma quail leading her brood out for a morning jaunt. When your into gamebirds you start seeing them in the darndest places.
My folks live in the Southern most tip of Texas on the border. For years, they have had a family of Chachalacas (not a pheasant but I have heard them referred to as Mexican Pheasants). Same deal. The little ones follow mom and dad around. Very interesting to watch, but my old dog used to give them what for.
Jon, Have you abandoned your blog??? How are you and your dogs doing?