Ahh... feed protein debate

[CARS]

I would like to start a little discussion about feeding quail.

The protein % keeps coming up (constantly) and EVERYONE has a different opinion.

For those who don't know I have A&M's for meat and eggs. I figured I would "plump up" some of the older ones (9-10 months) with high protein "meat maker" feed for a few weeks. I also deprived them of direct light during this time.

They are the same size as the ones I kept back for eggs on a 16% layer feed.

So, who says that quail need such expensive feed?

My layers are laying every day on 16%, the same size and temperament. So why 28% gamebird feed???? I just don't understand.

 

[tbone]

 

[monarc23]

Mine are on 20% or 24% feed, I can't feed the expensive stuff or I probably would (can't find it). I just suppliment weekly with boiled eggs (like is cooling in the sink now for them) or crushed up kitty food or mealies etc

My personal research on the subject came from a ton of sources about how they need high protien because of their tiny size and egg laying production... just like other game birds they reccomend high protien. My pal ironsun doesn't feed his quails high protien either and stiill sees good egg production. I thikn it's just like anything else with quails really (like incubation temp and humidity) what doesnt work for one may work for another

.

The feed i feed is nonmedicated and meant for chicken chicks, quails, turkeys and ducks

So works well for me

ETA: from what i've read the high protien needs had nothing to do with meat production. I don't know if that makes a differenece or not but the requirments weren't focused on meaties (of the info i found)

 

[monarc23]

Sort of on topic and might be of interest to you CARS....this is totally opposite info of the dark study::

http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=20053025018

and on another study about protien levels and egg laying:
http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=19941408780

This scientific mumbo jumbo here is a lil confusing but i think i get what they are saying:::

http://biblioteca.universia.net/html_bura/ficha/params/id/640256.html

protien percentages from mother earth news: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1981-09-01/Coturniz-Quail.aspx?page=2

 

[CARS]

Great links Niki!

I not too sure about the MEN link though. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Sustaina a feed company? That one might be a little bias

The only reason why I tried the high protein (Sprout Meat Maker from Mills Fleet Farm) is that I was feeding it to my broilers anyway. I have to agree with you, it does nothing for meat gain.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
well atleast now ya know that it doesn't seem to make them any bigger than they naturally would have grown to. sorta like how people think feeding marans chickens will make their eggs darker... when IMO what will make it darker is genetics. but that's my theory! LOL!

 

[CARS]

Quote:
Exactly what I am getting at by starting this thread. I had 2 separate groups, all the same age, feeding a difference of 10% protein and don't see any difference in size, color, egg production, etc.

Maybe other quail need more protein (buttons?), but as far as a production bird I don't buy the statement "quail need 28%" that I hear all the time.

 

[Ironsun]

Hi,

In England, it hard just to buy one 25kg sack of game bird feed, the one which has the highest protein level, so most people buy 18% poultry food.There is now a company that is doing quail pellets but still thats only 20% protein.

Personly, I've found nothing wrong in using 18% food, they come into lay at 6/7 weeks old the egg production is right body weights don't differ, so whats the point?

I've tried using turkey rearing crumbs on youngsters, and the only outcome was the birds fed on turkey crumbs were 5% heavier, and the extra cost was over 17%, again what was the point?.

I will continue to feed my birds 0n 18% protein food unless otherwise some one can prove others are really neccassary.

Maybe, the higher protien levels are for the "real game bird type quail", and the Japanese and Chinese painted quail (button) have been branded with this name. Who know?

Ironsun.

 

[rachel]

This is really great news because I feed my chickens organics, but there is no high protein organic alternative for game birds. I will try raising a round of quail with the lower protein organic stuff and see how it goes.
It sounds like they still need the high protein from birth to 6 weeks and then the protein can be reduced once laying begins? (It looks like the third study is the only one that addresses this).

 

[cawooduck]

Quote:
I am actually starting to believe that even the chicks do not need the high protien diet. I am feeding mine 20% flock raiser and have not lost a chick since hatching and they are doing great. I am going to switch my breeder quail over to a chicken layena as well.