Can I feed quail chicks adult food?

[selkiepelts]

I was talking to one of my professors at the college I attened and I brought up that I'm expecting 4 fertilized quail eggs to show up soon, and discovered he actually used to raise quail himself growing up. We were talking about feed and if he knew where a feed store was that would sell food for the chicks and he said he used to feed them adult food and they were fine? I was wondering if that was actually fine or if I should find a c h ick formula, or if it's fine is there a way I should alter it for the chicks with extra protein mix in or something?

They are cortunix chicks

 

[CascadiaRiver]

I don't know about quail but in chickens you cannot do that. I can't remember the exact science behind it about too much calcium in the adult food or not enough protein but I know that at least in chickens you cannot feed adult food to chicks. Check the brands and the people at your feedstore, they should know for sure.

 

[pkhunter]

I feed all my birds 28% game bird from day one. I do grind it up for the new born chicks the first 4-5 days.

 

[selkiepelts]

Alright, are there any specific brand you would recommend then? Odds are I'm going to have family ship it to me fro. TX since there are more locations, and that way I can make sure the chicks are pn a healthy diet.

 

[Em Ty]

I'll second pkhunter. I buy 28% turkey starter crumbles. I did grind them up for the first 5 days but I probably didn't need to. If they're pellets, you'll have to grind them.

Gamebird or turkey starter won't have the high calcium that a layer ration has. My laying chickens get 3.7% calcium and my quail get the 28% with 1.42% calcium. I currently feed my laying quail the 28% with free choice ground up eggshell that I bake at 300*F for an hour or so. I may drop the layers down to 24% by mixing in a duck starter, but I haven't decided yet.

The higher the protein content the faster they will grow. I also think they're healthier and they sure feather out fast, so I wouldn't feed less than 28% if you can get it. I know some guys who feed 20% and even 18%, but I think 18% is way too low and the guy who feeds 20% has decided to switch to a higher protein at least for growing them out.

With 4 birds you won't need medicated feed. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Em Ty]

I think Purina makes a 30% gamebird that's called Startena or something like that. I have a feel store that stocks non-GMO turkey starter at 28% for $20.81 CAD, so I go with that. I've used their non-GMO layer for 3 years and always had very healthy birds.

 

[pkhunter]

Alright, are there any specific brand you would recommend then? Odds are I'm going to have family ship it to me fro. TX since there are more locations, and that way I can make sure the chicks are pn a healthy diet.

If your getting it in Texas find a dealer that sells Bryant 28% game bird. I purchased 4 bags last week and it was $12.25 per 50# bag. The last time I checked purina 30% gamebird was about $21 a bag.

 

[selkiepelts]

It depends, if I'm shipping it from TX, (I live in IL), the shipping price may make it about the same anyways. But I will look into it!

 

[selkiepelts]

Right now it seems the most I can find in my area for quail chick food has 24% protein. I was wondering if there was something i could add to it, like ground up egg or anything to make the protein higher for the chicks that would make it work?

 

[Em Ty]

Right now it seems the most I can find in my area for quail chick food has 24% protein. I was wondering if there was something i could add to it, like ground up egg or anything to make the protein higher for the chicks that would make it work?

Yep, boiled eggs will work very well. I also know guys who use 24% or less and it works out just fine. One recently switched to 28% and said they grew faster, but you can get by with 24%.