Feed Requirements?

[rodriguezpoultry]

Hey...I'm just wondering something.

I've never had quail before, but am wanting to keep some alive for bait for a bobcat. Don't worry...the quail will be completely safe in the cage.

Is it possible for me to feed the bird medicated chick starter and grower? Or is that an inexcusable no-go?

 

[shelleyd2008]

There is a big debate over medicated/non-medicated feed. Some say it's okay, some say it isn't.

I feed my babies a non-medicated flock raiser (20% protein), and my adults a medicated game bird starter (cause I can't find non-medicated in 28%), and I don't have problems with either group.

 

[monarc23]

Yep some use really low protien and also use medicated feed and dont see any issues. I personally use high protien (as high as i can get) and feed nonmedicated.....in my experience low protien causes feather picking to the point of death if not watched....but i have no experience with medicated feed as I've made sure not to use it as i've been warned not to

I don't KNOW the exact reasons, but it looks like the medicated feed is unecc. medicating them and making their immune system poor. I know they also reccomend nonmedicated feed for other game birds and ducks

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The medicated chick starter is honestly the only thing I have in crumble. So I guess that will have to do. They are bait for a trap, but I do not want them to starve. I was just hoping the chick starter/grower would help keep them in tip-top shape. It's not gamebird feed, but it's the best I can do right now.

I get them on Thursday!!!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
work with whatcha got/can get

If it doesnt seem to be working you can always suppliment

 

[ozzie]

I kinda always assumed that the reason you don't want them on medicated feed was because you're ultimately planning to have them on your table and dining on them.

Or maybe that was a wrong assumption on my part.

That's why I switched mine from medicated to non-medicated layer mash and I increase the protein level by mixing in soya meal. I guess there would be others here who've had no choice in feeds and have had them on medicated feed and still ate them with no problems.

ozzie

 

[NancyDz]

I wouldnt want to eat eggs from a bird eating medicated starter either?

I just found a mini pellet that I'm going to try, it's 22 % , right now all mine young and old get a 27% but I thought I might put my adults on the 22% since I supplement them some with hard boiled eggs and cat food sometimes... also I'm hoping for less waste as pellets work great for my chickens .

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
cool! I wish i had stuff like that around here! *pouts*

as for eating the eggs from medicated birds, I never thought of it like that and I agree, hum! Another reason to try to deter people (if possible) from medicated feed. I dont even feed my chicken chicks and adults medicated feed they get what my quails get

 

[becky3086]

I have never been able to tell if the feed was medicated or non medicated and frankly have never seen a difference in any feed, no matter the amount of protein. Lower protein may make them grow slightly slower but they still grow. One time when I was raising quail before, I ran out of feed and fed them birdseed. They did great on that as well and seemed to like the change.

 

[NancyDz]

Quote:
All the feeds I buy list the ingredients and definitely say "medicated" if they are.