Stationary feeders often are placed along a road or a trail to make maintenance easier. Generally such areas have only sparse cover. This can expose quail to predators that will already be attracted by the high concentration of birds. The high number of bobwhites can also spread diseases and parasites. Broadcast grain into thickets to protect quail.
Stationary feeders are expensive and difficult to maintain.
They also are unpleasant to look at, and many consider them lures. A hand seeder also can work on smaller acreage. This method does not concentrate the birds as much as use of stationary feeders. Palmer recommends feeding milo. It is a high-energy food that doesn't spoil as quickly as other grains.