Feeding bird seeds

[veggiecanner]

I need to know how much bird seed each coturnix quail can have a day.for treat.
I didn't like the mix they had at the feed store. So I checked at the grocery store they had the same one. Corn peices too big and whole black oil sunflower in the shell.
So I am working on my own.
I bought a few items out of the bulk foods dept of the grocery store. they have high turn over so I am pretty sure it is fresh.
So far I have hulled millet and flax seed . I am afrail to use thissel. Mostley because I put
the quails waste in my garden and don't want it to grow there.
I thought I could make some minced veggies with my dehydrator and make a winter mix for them.
I am feeding them chick grit to go aong with this.
Any thing else I can add to this?

Iam feeding this to my layers and roos in addition to oyster shell, greens and a 20% layer crumble. and they get boiled egg about once a week.
Thanks

 

[quail31]

im from the uk but i give mine millet and just really anything that i have. once a week. but bird seed is good in moderation. i also find that pastry or stale bread thats been blended up really goes down well. but any sorts of seed really. also smaller seeds like the ones you would find in budgie or parakeet mix are good aswell. so anything really



good luck

 

[quail31]

yh also boiled egg is good protein especially in the winter months but grit is good and sand and stuff like that. mine eat the contents of their dust baths which is sand.

 

[Quailsong]

Any thing else I can add to this?

If I could offer a suggestion: Ferment your feed days before you feed them. Fermenting helps reduce the anti-nutrients in grains & makes feed easier to digest. It pre-sprout seeds, sucking in more moisture, makes it less likely to be scattered by sloppy birds. This way you could also pre-sprout & ferment Thistle without much worry about it re-growing in your compost.

Beekissed, a user on BYC has touted much for Fermented Feeds (FF). And there are many others going the same route. You can ferment with a bit of yogurt or Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with 'mother'. You let it sit & feed it much like you would a sourdough culture.

That said, for other feed choices don't forget to give them lots of protein. You can do this via BSF (Black Soldier Fly), Mealworms, regular worms, meat proteins (cut up liver) and so on. Best of luck!

 

[veggiecanner]

I already sprout whole peas then put them through a food processor for my birds. Hard do do when it is so hot.