Feed ?

[rarebreedeggs4u]

I've been mixing a few extras into my chicken feed lately. It works out roughly to 50 lbs Game Bird Starter (28%), 15 pounds crimped Oats (12%) and 15 pounds of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (16%). It works out roughly to about 21-22% protein. I like it because it gives them more grains in their diet. They seem to love it too, when they aren't wasting it

I'm working on THAT with new feeders.

What I want to know is, will that protein level be OK for mature Coturnix Quail and can they eat it OK? My chicks get straight Gamebird starter and then I've started introducing the grains at about 3-4 weeks old along with small to medium grit. I've only tried this the last few weeks and everyone seems to be doing great.

Would mature quail be better off with plain Gamebird starter or would the blend be OK?

Thanks so much. My only expereince with quail was hunting & eating them as a youngster

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

Anybody?

 

[aprophet]

I am kina new to quail but I have been feeding my Bobs gamebird starter they should be laying soon. I just hatched out a few coturnix chicks they are 2 weeks old. they look like they double in size every coupla days . I can almost sex the browns at 2 weeks . I was planning on feed them the same thing until they get culled I am sepperating them by color and trying to get weight up at the same time . I hate to switch feed to save a few pennies just to have to have them stop laying for a week or 2 . I am lucky here where I am a 50# bag of GBS purina brand is like $15 and change and I have a coupla places to choose from. good luck

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

Quote:
Thanks so much

I don't mind feeding them pure Gamebird Starter, I just like some variety in my diet and know my chickens do too I'd love it if they could all eat the same feed, but if they need pure GB starter that's fine. I keep some seperate for my chicks too.

 

[byoung14ever]

I am surprised that no one else has chimed in on the feed post. Usually you ask and 20 people will give you 20 different answers. Funny thing is we all have our own feed recommendations ,we all feed different feed, and we all get eggs!! Feed them whatever is available and affordable for you. I feed gamebird feed mixed with cracked corn. Get lots of eggs, they all hatch and birds look healthy. I think being consistent so you don't interrupt laying is the key.

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
I second that. Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

 

[fishman65]

I feed my chicks a game bird starter which is between 24-28% protien. After 4 weeks i switch them over to poultry layer crumbles with ground cat food added. the cat food boost the protien and ups the fat content. Most ADULT cat food is about 31-34% PROTIEN. They also get scrambled quail eggs three times a week just as a treat. If you feed a starter feed to adult birds i would add a little oyster shell just to be on the safe side.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

Thank you everyone

It looks like the pure gamebird starter is the easiest way to go for us

Free choice oyster shell is no problem. The babies are doing awesome and are bouncing all over the brooder! They are too cute.