Feed and treats in the UK

nikirushka

Songster
6 Years
Dec 2, 2014
140
29
124
My japs are on chick crumb with some aviary mix, and a few dried mealworms a day to bump the protein a bit. I have two questions.

1) Is there a decent quail-specific feed in the UK? I've seen Purina mentioned a lot but it's not available over here. If I can get something tailored I would prefer to, although the current feed is fine.

2) Is there an amazing, super-duper treat that no quail can resist? My little white dude is just so afraid of people, I want to make myself a source of lovely things but the mealworms just aren't high value enough. I need something outstanding that he gets only when I appear, to try and countercondition him a little to me so I become a predictor of good stuff rather than a scary thing. Ideally not something living as it's a while after I've gone before he moves again (he just freezes in place when I appear). He is too scared for habituation to my presence to be enough. I'm hoping that the arrival of my new girls will help give him some confidence but I want to work on this anyway.

Thanks :)
 
My japs are on chick crumb with some aviary mix, and a few dried mealworms a day to bump the protein a bit. I have two questions.

1) Is there a decent quail-specific feed in the UK? I've seen Purina mentioned a lot but it's not available over here. If I can get something tailored I would prefer to, although the current feed is fine.

2) Is there an amazing, super-duper treat that no quail can resist? My little white dude is just so afraid of people, I want to make myself a source of lovely things but the mealworms just aren't high value enough. I need something outstanding that he gets only when I appear, to try and countercondition him a little to me so I become a predictor of good stuff rather than a scary thing. Ideally not something living as it's a while after I've gone before he moves again (he just freezes in place when I appear). He is too scared for habituation to my presence to be enough. I'm hoping that the arrival of my new girls will help give him some confidence but I want to work on this anyway.

Thanks :)
I am not sure about feed in the UK, but I can tell you that quail love veggies like peas in the pod, cabbage, corn on the cob or off, chopped tomatoes (mine kill for these LOL), greens of all kinds, the females love hard boiled eggs,....etc. All kinds of foods.

Food is a wonderful bonding agent. Once they associate you with positive things, they will look forward to your visits. You might over time get them to feed from your hand. Hand raised quail are friendly enough to do this, but yours may always be a bit skittish around you. BUT...that doesn't mean they won't calm down over time knowing you are the goodies delivery service and bring tastey treats to all good quail! LOL

Just be patient with them and time and food should settle them down. Good luck! :)
 
For adult quail food I just use layers pellets. And for treets I just give spare bits of fruits and veggies.don't worry he will come to you and be friends with you eessy enough once he realises you bring food.
 
Last edited:
My thoughts exactly, which is why I'm trying to find a decent feed! I've located a couple but they are low protein - 20 or 22%. Seems to be a real absence of good quality game or quail feed here.
 
Feesing quail chicken feed is like raising a human child on only top ramen noodles. Youll never see the true quality of the stock without proper feed.
I have been feeding my 5 quail hens on layers pellets and getting 5/6 eggs day and extremely good fertility.
 
I have been feeding my 5 quail hens on layers pellets and getting 5/6 eggs day and extremely good fertility.[/quote

Good for you. Not sure what else you want to hear. youre damaging thier organ development and cutting short their maximum lifespan so you can save money.
Hi I was told layers by two breeders I know who between them have probably hatched 20000 quail. If you can provide any evidence so scientific study's that say feeding laying age corturnix quail layers pellets is bad for there health then OK but everywhere I've looked said 18% protein was fine.
 
Last edited:
I have kept males on chicken chick starter 18% for very long periods of time when I couldn't find gamebird food and they actually did very well. My females did only fair on it as far as egg laying. Gamebird food is a bit more formulated for quail, however they will do ok on chicken feeds if this is all you have access too. Be careful with males on layer feed as the high content of calcium in the feed can damage their kidneys since they are not in need of so much calcium like the females. This calcium can build up to lethal levels and destroy organs.
 
http://www.thatquailplace.com/quail/coturnix/coturn5.htm
Dietary distribution

http://posc.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2012/08/jpquail1.pdf
Suggested diet for jap quail by the university of A&M

Keep in mind they recommend 20% protien minimum in the article, and tbat was 40 years ago when jumbo coturnix didnt even exist.

I dont just make this stuff up and i didnt hear it from pa kettle on his little quail farm. As far as hatching 20k chicks, ive easily hatched that many in the last few years. It doesnt impress me.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom