Feeding quail, thoughts and opinions?

[UrbanHomesteadTX]

There's a feed store in Cedar Hill, but for some reason they only carry the 28%. I can't get them to order the 24% so I have to go to Alvarado for that.

Good note. I know the one over in Balch Springs and plan on hitting it later today. I honestly completely forgot it existed until I saw that list. Lol. Hopefully they'll have some 24%

My gals are also already eating oystershell like crazy! Threw some in the J feeder yesterday and it was mostly gone by this morning. Hopefully a good sign they'll start laying soon

 

[UrbanHomesteadTX]

Well, I finally ended up buying Game Bird Flight Conditioner. Its 19% Protein, figure it's the best I'm gonna get around here

 

[backwoodstexas]

So, help me with some confusion. I find chicken layer feed to be much closer to the recommended nutrition content than the various game bird feed. Exceptions being layer feed is higher in calcium. And reading the nutrition labels on the various game bird feeds, they are all lower than what is recommended here.

 

[Nabiki]

So, help me with some confusion. I find chicken layer feed to be much closer to the recommended nutrition content than the various game bird feed. Exceptions being layer feed is higher in calcium. And reading the nutrition labels on the various game bird feeds, they are all lower than what is recommended here.

Finding good feed is a challenge. I have found that an all flock or complete flock feed with calcium on the side comes closest to the feed requirements that they need once they're adults.

 

[RememberTheWay]

Here is an article I wrote on feeding your quail. It tells you what to look for in your feed rather than recommending specific brands.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

I would see if you can find a good game bird feed, and if you can't find that, you might find an all flock feed that will meet your needs. You will probably need to provide calcium on the side in the form of oyster or egg shell. The quail will eat what they need.

Where in North Texas are you? See if you can find Golden Oak feed (https://www.goldenoakmilling.com). In game bird feeds, they have a 28% starter and a 24% grower. Calcium's a bit low, but I supplement with oyster and egg shell. Methionine is also on the low side. I'm not sure how to improve that, though. The mill is in DeLeon, TX and they have dealers all over North Texas. I buy mine in Alvarado. The starter is a little over $20/50 pounds and the grower is a little less than $20/50 pounds.

You might want to look into some of the Kalmbach supplements for supplementing methionine, lysine, and other things as well. Maybe Fertrell Company too they have a show and breeder supplement too