Can someone suggest a feed and source?

[pac]

I think we have an Agway left near me.
I'll check them out.
Thanks

 

[Nabiki]

Here is a non-Purina feed that is in stock.
It doesn't say starter, but it is 30% protein.
It says for non-layers though. And I don't understand that. Not enough Ca maybe?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/natures-best-organic-feeds-game-bird-crumble-25-lb-bm0288c

The calcium is too low for layers, but since it's 30% protein, you'd be using it for chicks and not adults anyways.

 

[catesquire]

I'm ordering from chewy. Can't vouch for an adult feed because my birds are still babies, but all of mine hit 7-8+ ounces by 24 days on Bluebonnet's gamebird 30%, which seems like very good growth to me.

 

[pac]

I'm ordering from chewy. Can't vouch for an adult feed because my birds are still babies, but all of mine hit 7-8+ ounces by 24 days on Bluebonnet's gamebird 30%, which seems like very good growth to me.

That looks like pretty good stuff. And it says you can keep the chicks on starter up to 16 weeks. And since it only comes in a 50lb bag that I saw, that's a good thing.

Can Coturnix quail eat "niblets". Bluebonnet's adult food looks like rabbit pellets. I've only seen videos feeding crumbles. Probably a dumb question. Maybe they won't be able to throw it all over if it's in pellet form. Or maybe they'll throw it more, lol.

It would be nice to keep them on the same brand.

Big question: Can I keep their food outside year round in a metal garbage can?
I imagine I'll have to tie the lid down to keep the coons out.

But it's looking more like I'll have to keep two kinds of food on hand. And that is going to take up room I do not currently have.

 

[FatherFalcon]

My Stack....

Also: (keep it a secret) *Wink*

 

[Nabiki]

That looks like pretty good stuff. And it says you can keep the chicks on starter up to 16 weeks. And since it only comes in a 50lb bag that I saw, that's a good thing.

Can Coturnix quail eat "niblets". Bluebonnet's adult food looks like rabbit pellets. I've only seen videos feeding crumbles. Probably a dumb question. Maybe they won't be able to throw it all over if it's in pellet form. Or maybe they'll throw it more, lol.

It would be nice to keep them on the same brand.

Big question: Can I keep their food outside year round in a metal garbage can?
I imagine I'll have to tie the lid down to keep the coons out.

But it's looking more like I'll have to keep two kinds of food on hand. And that is going to take up room I do not currently have.

I think quail might have some trouble with pellets. They'd have to break them down, and I can imagine them flinging them everywhere trying.

Keeping feed in a metal garbage can where the temperature changes a lot seems like a recipe for condensation, which means the feed would get damp, grow mold, and turn poisonous.

I keep mine in the garage where it doesn't get damp and the mice can't get into it.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Just a note on purina here (no I’m not a stock holder!), it is a good, basic affordable dog food brand for people who can’t afford the farmers dog or whatever (seriously it would cost more to feed a lab than it does my 13 year old!). It is worlds better than old Roy or your random elevator brand. Mazuri, I believe is owned by purina, and make all sorts of exotic animal diets, I loved their chinchilla feed back in the day. As far as feeding your dog puppy food all his life, bad idea, especially large breeds, the protein and calories are way too high, as is calcium and phosphorus for large breeds. It is actually recommended you feed either large breed puppy chow or adult dog food to a large breed puppy after 6 months so his joints don’t get wacky. I’ve had the same issue with purina game bird starter, 28% protein, the chicks were laying at 5 weeks but 30% of the eggs were weird (double yolk, soft shell). I switched to a high protein chicken layer feed I found at the local feed store chain with 21% protein and now feed that to all birds, including baby chicks. Birds start laying at 7 weeks, virtually zero weird eggs, while the calcium is high, quail grow so fast and live so short a time I’m guessing long term effects are kind of moot. As for weird smells with purina, my guess is it is the extra protein, it gets converted to urea and ammonia and other nitrogenous waste which gets stinky fast. I really had to look to find something local that would work, most was medicated or 18% protein or I needed to order 2 tons for 20 quail. But check gamebird, all flock, turkey, or even high protein chicken feeds, protein is your main objective (20% minimum hopefully) as calcium can be supplemented if necessary, appropriate lysine and methionine levels are also nice but can be even harder to find.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Also want to add mine do pellets just fine, I get tired of grinding feed and switch them to pellets at two weeks (doesn’t come in crumbles). They sulk for a day and prefer to use it as bedding but figure it out pretty quick.

 

[pac]

My Stack....
View attachment 4099042
Also: (keep it a secret) *Wink*
View attachment 4099083

Looks like the only starter Kalmbach's makes is 28% medicated for turkey. Lots of choices for chickens.
It seems low in Ca, also. Which I'm guessing is why you have the oyster shells.

What is the other bag? New Country Organics?

 

[pac]

I switched to a high protein chicken layer feed I found at the local feed store chain with 21% protein and now feed that to all birds, including baby chicks.

That sounds like it's working pretty good for you. Even for chicks, huh?

It sounds like the sooner I get them off Purina the better. Even if it's a good chicken feed.