Feeding Quails

[dpenning]

I also am curious about feeding quail. I have 16 bobwhites that are now 13 weeks old, I'm raising them for eventual release for tick control, not for market or anything. From 0-6 weeks old I had them on 24% starter, from 6-12 weeks they've been on 20% starter/grower and I recently went out and bought Mannapro All Breed 16% and I'm transitioning them to that (and hoping that's suitable for maintenance feed for the foreseeable future). I was curious as to what other people were feeding their adult "pet" quail? Mine also get lots of snacks, bugs, acorn/hickory nuts, scratch, cracked corn, worms, lettuce, kale, carrots and grapes etc etc any insight would be helpful!

Not sure where you live but around here quail released wouldn’t last more than a couple of days before being picked off by predators. I would suggest guinea fowl for tick control. They will likely have a better survival rate.

 

[Hope Hughes]

I agree with @dpenning gunieas are amazing at getting rid of unwanted bugs.. we purchased 40 acres in florida in may and OMG the ticks and horse flys!!! We got 10 guineas and within maybe 3 months(had to get them used to where they shpuld sleep first) no more ticks!!!
They are annoying(you get used to the noise and tune them out) but man do they do their jobs!!
Jusr have to be careful if you dont raise them and get hem used to their home they just roost in the trees and they can be kinda stupid lol​

 

[eastendquail]

I agree with @dpenning gunieas are amazing at getting rid of unwanted bugs.. we purchased 40 acres in florida in may and OMG the ticks and horse flys!!! We got 10 guineas and within maybe 3 months(had to get them used to where they shpuld sleep first) no more ticks!!!
They are annoying(you get used to the noise and tune them out) but man do they do their jobs!!
Jusr have to be careful if you dont raise them and get hem used to their home they just roost in the trees and they can be kinda stupid lol​

Oh for sure! We used to have 30+ guineas on our property but we recently lost the last few. So I wanted to change things up and I'm going back to school in a year so I opted for a species native to the area in the hopes they might stand a chance (unrealistic I know but I'm being hopeful), we'll see!

 

[Hope Hughes]

Oh for sure! We used to have 30+ guineas on our property but we recently lost the last few. So I wanted to change things up and I'm going back to school in a year so I opted for a species native to the area in the hopes they might stand a chance (unrealistic I know but I'm being hopeful), we'll see!

Let me know how it goes... the husband has me rasing quail to release to stock the property and to help train out bird dog with. We have read alot about them not doing good in th wild after having contact with people so out be curious as to how it goes.
​

 

[dpenning]

Please keep us posted. I did some research when we bought our 46 acres and was told by the ag extension people that you really had to have 100 acres of prime habitat for them to re-populate in the wild. We actually back up to Parkhill Prairie which is supposedly a native Texas prairie and I was hoping that would help. I think too many coyotes and neighbors not worried about conservation would make success in my area of North Texas less than successful. Hope it works for you!

 

[Hope Hughes]

Please keep us posted. I did some research when we bought our 46 acres and was told by the ag extension people that you really had to have 100 acres of prime habitat for them to re-populate in the wild. We actually back up to Parkhill Prairie which is supposedly a native Texas prairie and I was hoping that would help. I think too many coyotes and neighbors not worried about conservation would make success in my area of North Texas less than successful. Hope it works for you!

I could see the space issue depending on how many birds you release. Thankfully our 40 acres back up to our next door neighbors 100+ acres and then our sides each 40+( we like being in the middle of no where lol) I hope they sre smart enough to book it from preditors i know that we will lose some here amd there its the circle of life but wpuld be awesome to populate the property.
​

 

[Williams Quail]

I feed my quail ADM game bird grower and have had great success in raising quail with that feed.

 

[TLC Mini Farm]

I feed my Coturnix Turkey Starter (28% protein). They have been eating the same food since I brought them home at 3 weeks old. I offer some treats once in awhile (mealworms, broccoli, romaine lettuce and corn on the cob).