any quail that go broody often? and do I have to only feed game bird crumbles?

[fowlsessed]

I want to keep some quail in the loft with the pigeons and was wondering if there are any breeds that go broody often? Also, is there other feed suitable for feeding quail? Now I feed all my birds layer pellets, corn, milo and wheat. Would this work for the quail? Oh yea, they would have to be very cold hardy as well. Thanks in advance and sorry for all the questions.

 

[groundpecker]

Coturnix quail rarely go broody, but grow fast and are ready to process in 2 months.

Bobwhites are slow growing and go broody.

Quail should only be fed a feed that is at least 20% protein. The more protein, the better. Gamebird feed is best.

For quail, it is best to incubate your own eggs. You can put 120 in a hovabator with autoturner and quail racks.

 

[fowlsessed]

"Nutrition is one of the most important factors required to maintain quails in good physical condition and to obtain normal growth and egg production. Since feed constitutes 60-70% investment at the farm, for deriving maximum benefit out of quail farming it is necessary to feed a balanced ration which will have all the nutrients in necessary proportion (Table 1). There are several forms in which a balanced ration may be fed to quail - all dry mash, pellets or crumbs. In tropics usually dry all mash feeding system is being used. A typical ration formulated by Shim and Lee (1988) and widely used in experiments (Shim and Chen, 1989; 1990) is shown in Table 2.
The local farmers may use the chicken starter and layer diets for their growing and laying quails and supplement them with high protein ingredients, such as fish meal, soyabean meal and skimmed milk. Fast early growth is achieved with high-protein diets. Japanese quails, which mature at 5 to 6 weeks of age, respond favorably to higher dietary protein concentration. These high protein starter feeds will give quick development to growing birds as well as bringing earlier and more consistent laying to he ns.
For birds just prior to maturity, the dietary requirements are similar, except for calcium and phosphorus. A diet containing 1.25 percent total phosphorus and 3.50 percent calcium is recommended; this may need to be increased to 3.9 percent in hot weather when quail eat less food but still require calcium to maintain egg production. Broken oyster-shell or limestone grits may be given ad lib.
When the ration contains only plant protein, supplemental methionine and lysine may be beneficial. There are indications that these are the first limiting amino acids for Japanese quails (Howes, 1965).
It is important to obtain fresh feed and it should be stored in covered containers with tightly fitting lids in a clean, dry, cool area free from animals and vermin. Feed stored longer than 8 weeks is subject to vitamin deterioration and rancidity, especially in hot humid tropics."
That was a quote from thequailplace, since bobwhites grow slower the high protein may not be as critical. I may try some bobwhites, just a pair or two.

 

[Livi]

Any other breeds than bobwhites who goes broody?

 

[fowlsessed]

lot's of the wild types, scaled, gambel's, valley, button and mountain quail. Most of those go broody....

 

[Livi]

Buttons too? I did not know that. Those other ones require big aviary right? But buttons I guess dont need tgat. Would be so great to have some brooding quails

 

[fowlsessed]

yea, buttons do go broody sometimes. The others need more space than the buttons, yes.