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I have no idea how big a softball is! but from what you say would about the size of a large (wood) pigeon be about right?
Some are supposed to be very tame - mine tolerate me to be honest!I'm guessing they are quite tame(able) then, especially if they let you wash their feet for them!
I had to google them and they are quite sweet (for chickens) do they all have that weird exaggerated breast though?
For goodness sake, I thought a pigeon was pretty universal! I can never seem to find anything that can be used for size reference that works everywhereLOL I'm in Canada, so no wood pigeons here. I was in the UK many years ago and saw them from far away. I'm not sure if they're the same size as the standard ferals we have here. The best equivalent in size would be a large navel or Mineola orange. The hens tend to be a bit bigger and fatter than the cocks.
yes, I like the silkies! I remember a relative of mine had some weird looking birds when I was a kid but can't remember what they were called but it was most likely one of those two. I liked them. Are they much bigger than a serama?Some are supposed to be very tame - mine tolerate me to be honest!Yes, I've just soaked one of my hen's feet and as she sat in it I then gave her a blow dry with the hair dryer!
Yes, they do have the exaggerated breast! Have you checked out the silkied and frizzle ones too??
yes, I like the silkies! I remember a relative of mine had some weird looking birds when I was a kid but can't remember what they were called but it was most likely one of those two. I liked them. Are they much bigger than a serama?
Oh well now I feel silly, but I'll freely admit that I don't have a clue about chickensSorry Emma, I didn't see this.
Nooooooooo - I meant frizzled and silkied feathered seramas!Check them out on google images - soooo cute but they are less robust than the smooth feathered seramas.
The place I go actually sells quail feed in smaller bags, as in they split bigger bags into smaller ones and charge per kilo. They used to do it for lots of their poultry and pet feed but stopped recently, other than the quail. When our original ones first hatched I fed them on Haiths pellets that I ordered online. They were 28% protein and you can order as little as 500g. I don't know what's in the layers pellets but you might be able to combine the two to raise the raise the protein.Can I ask what quail feed you give your quail Emma and do you find that the expiry date runs out before they've eaten it?? I can only buy a 5kg layers pellets bag for my seramas because otherwise the expiry date will run out way before they've ploughed their way through a 20kg bag. I can't imagine that a itty bitty pair of chinese quails are ever going to eat a 5kg bag within the expiry date!!
Are they really noisy? I think they would probably get used to it, especially if they grow up around the noise. It's usually movement they react to rather than noise, I have found. There are some infections or something that can be passed between the species which are bad, I forget exactly as I've never really needed to pay attention, but I'm sure one of the others could explainAlso do you think they'd have heart failure if they're kept in the same room as my seramas - I do bring them in at night and during bad weather.
Thanks for that - I've just looked online - Haiths quail mix is £5.80 for 2kg - that's about the same price as my 5kg bag!! I suppose it's the extra protein.Oh well now I feel silly, but I'll freely admit that I don't have a clue about chickens
The place I go actually sells quail feed in smaller bags, as in they split bigger bags into smaller ones and charge per kilo. They used to do it for lots of their poultry and pet feed but stopped recently, other than the quail. When our original ones first hatched I fed them on Haiths pellets that I ordered online. They were 28% protein and you can order as little as 500g. I don't know what's in the layers pellets but you might be able to combine the two to raise the raise the protein.
Are they really noisy? I think they would probably get used to it, especially if they grow up around the noise. It's usually movement they react to rather than noise, I have found. There are some infections or something that can be passed between the species which are bad, I forget exactly as I've never really needed to pay attention, but I'm sure one of the others could explainI think it's mainly if they are house together, but sharing a room separately might be okay.
It's not the quail mix, not sure how much protein is in that and I think the millet and stuff is only really meant to be fed as a treat (quite high fat if I recall). It's the high-protein crumbs. They need the really high protein when they are little. It can be dropped when they are fully grown, but still needs to be higher than a normal feed. But if you can work out how much you can add to your seramas feed to bring the level up, like a protein supplement, then the quails can help you get through their feed quicker. Or you could do it the other way round maybe, and bulk out quail feed so the seramas don't get too much protein? probably be cheaper that way.Thanks fgo
Thanks for that - I've just looked online - Haiths quail mix is £5.80 for 2kg - that's about the same price as my 5kg bag!! I suppose it's the extra protein.
They can be a little noisy sometimes!
I'll wait for someone to tell me about the dangers of infections with keeping different species then!
Thanks Emma![]()
Thanks Emma. I'm now thinking though that maybe I couldn't get any quail because three of my seramas came with mycoplasma type symptoms (only found out when I'd brought them home!) and one still has residual symptoms!It's not the quail mix, not sure how much protein is in that and I think the millet and stuff is only really meant to be fed as a treat (quite high fat if I recall). It's the high-protein crumbs. They need the really high protein when they are little. It can be dropped when they are fully grown, but still needs to be higher than a normal feed. But if you can work out how much you can add to your seramas feed to bring the level up, like a protein supplement, then the quails can help you get through their feed quicker. Or you could do it the other way round maybe, and bulk out quail feed so the seramas don't get too much protein? probably be cheaper that way.
Marriages do a quail feed in 7.5kg bag for 5.99 (from my 'feed store') but I don't know what the shelf life is of it cos I've never looked! You do need a high protein feed to start with though really, but that 2kg bag I got lasted ours from hatch until they were on adult feed. (Ideally I would want them on something a bit higher still if I could find a more cost effective way)