Feeding quail: a controversial subject

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jenjscott

jenjscott

Mosquito Beach Poultry
11 Years
May 24, 2008
3,701
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Southeast Arkansas
Ok, lets remember we all have our own opinion, I want facts, references. I just read on here all about the high protein requirements for quail, I am trying to understand why the feed companies and universities recommend such low amounts of protein in some of their foods. I would like references for the high protein feeding.

Here is what Mississippi State U recommends the first number is protein, the second is calcium, the third is phosphorus

Coturnix (Pharaoh) Quail
Starter (0 - 6 wk ) 24.0 .85 .60
Finisher (6 wk - mkt) 18.0 .65 .50
Layer (6 wk +) 18.0 2.75 .65

Here is purina mills amounts of the same three ingredients

Regular purina gamebird startena
Game Bird Startena
00ae.png
Product 5419
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein, not less than 30.0%
Calcium, not less than 1.0%
Calcium, not more than 1.5%
Phosphorus, not less than 0.8%

Game Bird Maintenance Chow
00ae.png
Product 5440
Crude Protein, not less than 12.5%
Calcium, not less than 0.5%
Calcium, not more than 1.0%
Phosphorus, not less than 0.5%

Game Bird Breeder Layena
00ae.png
Product 5438
Crude Protein not less than 20.0%
Calcium (Ca) not less than 2.5%
Calcium (Ca) not more than 3.5%
Phosphorus (P) not less than 0.8%
 
Quote:
I don,t really have any opinions yet I am just going by referances I have found, how many would you like to have listed? I have found quiet a few. Are you more intrested in Bobs or Coturnix?
 
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A lot of the university calculations are based on getting the quail to the highest weight for processing for the least amount of money. Not for creating a sustainable, long term healthy population.

"Unfortunately, experimental data are limited on
the nutrient requirements for Bobwhite quail. Field
experiences, however, have provided valuable
information with regard to nutrition. Researchers
from North Carolina State University have deter-
mined that providing Bobwhite quail a starter feed
containing between 28-30 percent protein should be
adequate to maintain proper feather development,
livability and body weight gain.
Feeding Bobwhite quail a starter feed formu-
lated to contain higher than 30 percent protein is
not necessary unless the birds are experiencing a
significant reduction in feed consumption. A feed
containing 30 percent protein is usually adequate,
and more than 30 percent protein is not used by the
bird. As a general rule, feed cost can be directly
proportional to protein content. So feeding high
protein feeds that exceed the birds protein/amino
acid requirements can be costly."
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...yFoXTS&sig=AHIEtbQ2SaEKxENLUmqpiZkC9DDOck-Shg

"Protein provides the amino acids for tissue growth and egg production. The dietary protein requirement of quail is influenced by metabolizable energy content and the ingredients used to formulate the diets. The earlier investigators raised their quail f locks successfully on turkey starter diets containing about 25-28% crude protein (Wilson et al., 1959; Woodard et al., 1973; NAS, 1969). Lee et al. (1977a & b) have shown that a dietary crude protein level of 24% is needed in starter diet for quail and t he protein content may be reduced to 20% by 3rd week of age.

Protein is the most expensive nutrient and must be provided from a high quality source. Protein quality is generally based on the amino acid composition of the feedstuff and the availability of these amino acids from the feedstuff through digestion in the gut of the quail. Amino acids are considered as the building blocks of proteins. Out of 19 total amino acids required by quail, 13 are considered as essential amino acids, because they cannot be produced in the quail's body and must be supplied in the diet, and 6 are considered as nonessential, because they are synthesized by the body and need not be supplied in the diet. The 13 essential amino acids are: arginine, cystine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, th reonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine. Feedstuffs differ qualitatively and quantitatively in their amino acid composition. Quail diets consist mainly of plant materials. The most commonly used plant products are maize, soyabean meal, sorghum and rice or wheat bran. Methionine and lysine are generally low in plant products. Animal protein products such as fish meal, meat and bone meal etc., are good sources of most of the essential amino acids, but they are usually more expensive than plant protein ingredients."
http://www.thatquailplace.com/quail/coturnix/coturn5.htm

"Feeding quails with the mixed feed of the lowest crude protein
content (17%) resulted in significant fall in laying performance traits, with the highest
yolk content (%) of egg. Experimental feed mixes had no significant effect on the
majority of evaluated egg qualitative traits, but they significantly reduced the value of
yolk index. No significant effect of low-protein diet was found on feed consumption
per one egg and per 1 kg eggs laid."
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...MCrzBx&sig=AHIEtbSqSBt3s7DTFh-t-Q-uSTfHqyvjNQ

Protein consumption in all animals tends to be self-limiting. Animals eat food to get to the protein requirement they need. If you don't give them enough protein, they eat more. High carbohydrate content tends to screw up this self-limiting factor.
 
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