Chick protein substitute?

[drewskimac]

So, I have some coturnix due to hatch in a few days... Well, I went to the store where I ALWAYS by my chick food and asked for a 50 lb bag of chick food. The gentleman replied "Egg crumbles?" and i replied "No, chick food". And he said "ok..." and typed something into his computer. The receipt he gave me said "Egg crumbles" So I again said "No, I want CHICK FOOD" and he replied with "It's the same thing!" So I figured. Hmm, maybe that's just what it was listed as in the computer. Anyways, I arrived home to see that the bag of food I got was 16 percent protein. Uhm, definitely not chick food. And DEFINITELY won't cut it for quail chicks. So, what can I do to make this food work? What can i mix in with it to boost the protein enough for my cot chicks? Money is short, so I can't just go to the feed store and buy another bag.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

So, I have some coturnix due to hatch in a few days... Well, I went to the store where I ALWAYS by my chick food and asked for a 50 lb bag of chick food. The gentleman replied "Egg crumbles?" and i replied "No, chick food". And he said "ok..." and typed something into his computer. The receipt he gave me said "Egg crumbles" So I again said "No, I want CHICK FOOD" and he replied with "It's the same thing!" So I figured. Hmm, maybe that's just what it was listed as in the computer. Anyways, I arrived home to see that the bag of food I got was 16 percent protein. Uhm, definitely not chick food. And DEFINITELY won't cut it for quail chicks. So, what can I do to make this food work? What can i mix in with it to boost the protein enough for my cot chicks? Money is short, so I can just go to the feed store and buy another bag.

Have you opened it yet?

 

[drewskimac]

Yep, I have, unfortunately. I realized it was the wrong protein percentage when It looked a tad bit different.

 

[JaeG]

Hard boil an egg and mash a small amount (depending on your number of quail) up with water so it's nice and runny for them while they are tiny. It's better that they eat all that you put out as it will spoil reasonably fast.

Quail eggs are better than chicken eggs simply because they are smaller but chicken eggs are fine to feed as well.

You could possibly freeze a hard boiled chicken egg in portions so it doesn't go off - maybe mash it first so they are getting yolk and white. Just make sure a chicken egg is cooked very well as if the yolk is still runny there is the possibility of passing on diseases that chickens can carry. They will tuck into it with gusto!

Good luck with your little ones.

 

[drewskimac]

Thanks so much. What about grinding 1 part 30% protein catfood and mixing it with the 16% protein crumbles?

 

[dc3085]

Have you tried looking for turkey starter? It's usually 26-28%. Aside from being low in protein chicken feed has too much infused calcium in most cases.

 

[drewskimac]

I'll see if my feedstore has it.