So, you have decided that you want to raise quail. There are many questions that you will have, but here you will learn what your quail need to eat in order to thrive.
This guide will help you find feed with proper nutrition for your quail. This includes all common species of quail including coturnix, bobwhite, and king (also known as Chinese painted or button).
In my years here on BYC, one of the most common mistakes I see is assuming that quail are miniature chickens and eat the same feed as chickens do. This is not the case, and if you feed your quail chicks chicken feed, they are not going to thrive and are likely to die.
To start with, you should begin by looking at game bird/pheasant feeds. Turkey feeds are also a good type to check. When they are adults, you may find an all flock feed that has the nutrition that they need. I will not be recommending specific brands because the formulae can and do change. Instead, I will be listing some key things to look for in the feed.
So, you ask, what should I be feeding my quail? Like just about every species, their nutritional needs depend on what stage of life they are in.
Let’s start with...
Quail Chicks
Quail chicks need the highest protein in their life cycle. Protein is not the only nutrient that you are looking for, however. I have put the most important nutrients below with the quantities you are looking for. These are critical for proper skeletal, muscular and neurologic development.
Quail Adults (10-12 weeks)
At about six weeks, your hens will probably be starting to lay and it’s time to start reducing the amount of protein and fat in their diet. I will start mixing the starter feed with adult feed, gradually transitioning them to just the adult feed.
Quail Layers
Layer feed is an option if you do not want to provide calcium on the side. The main difference between adult feed and layer feed is the amount of calcium. I prefer to feed my calcium on the side in the form of crushed eggshells or oyster shells. Your females will eat as much as they need, and your males will generally leave it alone.
Treats
Now that you have learned the basics of what they need, what about treats? There are many things that you can safely feed as treats to your quail. As a rule, treats should not be more than 10% of their diet. More than that, and the balanced feed that you spent so much time selecting will no longer be part of a balanced diet.
Quail vary in what they like as much as any other animal, so while some will love one thing on the good treat list, others will not. Try different things to see what they like. Fruit and vegetables with skins should be sliced open or peeled since the quail will often not peck through the tough skin.
Below the list of treats is a list of things that should be avoided. These things are toxic to birds. Some of these are from petmd.com, others from experiences of other quail experts.
Good treats – remember, these should be fed in moderation. Think of these as quail junk food.
Berries – blue berries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.
Egg – boiled and crushed. This can also be an effective way to get nutrition into a sick quail. Eggshells are good for laying hens and you can boil and crush the entire eggshell included as a treat.
Fruit – apples, bananas, pears, etc. sliced so they can get to the insides easily
Insects – black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, grubs, crickets, etc.
Leafy greens – lettuce, dandelions, spinach, bok choi, etc.
Melons
Seeds – sunflower, sesame, chia, flax, but do not feed seeds with salt. If you choose to give beans or other seeds that swell in water, make sure that they are soaked and cooked first.
Vegetables – celery, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, etc. Slice them open so they can get to the soft insides easily.
Avoid these
Avocado – this includes the fruit, seeds, leaves, bark, branches, etc.
Chocolate
Fruit pits and seeds – many of these contain cyanide
Garlic
Herbs – cilantro, oregano, etc. Leafy herbs are best.
Onions
Tomato – leaves, stems, and vines.
Xylitol
This guide will help you find feed with proper nutrition for your quail. This includes all common species of quail including coturnix, bobwhite, and king (also known as Chinese painted or button).
In my years here on BYC, one of the most common mistakes I see is assuming that quail are miniature chickens and eat the same feed as chickens do. This is not the case, and if you feed your quail chicks chicken feed, they are not going to thrive and are likely to die.
To start with, you should begin by looking at game bird/pheasant feeds. Turkey feeds are also a good type to check. When they are adults, you may find an all flock feed that has the nutrition that they need. I will not be recommending specific brands because the formulae can and do change. Instead, I will be listing some key things to look for in the feed.
So, you ask, what should I be feeding my quail? Like just about every species, their nutritional needs depend on what stage of life they are in.
Let’s start with...
Quail Chicks
Quail chicks need the highest protein in their life cycle. Protein is not the only nutrient that you are looking for, however. I have put the most important nutrients below with the quantities you are looking for. These are critical for proper skeletal, muscular and neurologic development.
| Protein | 28-30% |
| Lysine | 1.4-1.6% |
| Methionine | .5-.9% |
| Fat | 5-8% |
Quail Adults (10-12 weeks)
At about six weeks, your hens will probably be starting to lay and it’s time to start reducing the amount of protein and fat in their diet. I will start mixing the starter feed with adult feed, gradually transitioning them to just the adult feed.
| Protein | 20-24% |
| Lysine | 1.4-1.6% |
| Methionine | .5-.9% |
| Fat | 3-4% |
Quail Layers
Layer feed is an option if you do not want to provide calcium on the side. The main difference between adult feed and layer feed is the amount of calcium. I prefer to feed my calcium on the side in the form of crushed eggshells or oyster shells. Your females will eat as much as they need, and your males will generally leave it alone.
| Protein | 20-24% |
| Lysine | 1.4-1.6% |
| Methionine | .5-.9% |
| Fat | 3-4% |
Treats
Now that you have learned the basics of what they need, what about treats? There are many things that you can safely feed as treats to your quail. As a rule, treats should not be more than 10% of their diet. More than that, and the balanced feed that you spent so much time selecting will no longer be part of a balanced diet.
Quail vary in what they like as much as any other animal, so while some will love one thing on the good treat list, others will not. Try different things to see what they like. Fruit and vegetables with skins should be sliced open or peeled since the quail will often not peck through the tough skin.
Below the list of treats is a list of things that should be avoided. These things are toxic to birds. Some of these are from petmd.com, others from experiences of other quail experts.
Good treats – remember, these should be fed in moderation. Think of these as quail junk food.
Berries – blue berries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.
Egg – boiled and crushed. This can also be an effective way to get nutrition into a sick quail. Eggshells are good for laying hens and you can boil and crush the entire eggshell included as a treat.
Fruit – apples, bananas, pears, etc. sliced so they can get to the insides easily
Insects – black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, grubs, crickets, etc.
Leafy greens – lettuce, dandelions, spinach, bok choi, etc.
Melons
Seeds – sunflower, sesame, chia, flax, but do not feed seeds with salt. If you choose to give beans or other seeds that swell in water, make sure that they are soaked and cooked first.
Vegetables – celery, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, etc. Slice them open so they can get to the soft insides easily.
Avoid these
Avocado – this includes the fruit, seeds, leaves, bark, branches, etc.
Chocolate
Fruit pits and seeds – many of these contain cyanide
Garlic
Herbs – cilantro, oregano, etc. Leafy herbs are best.
Onions
Tomato – leaves, stems, and vines.
Xylitol
