Feeding questions

[gabrielle1976]

Hi I have bobwhite and jumbo brown quail as well as a single lonely button quail and a chuckar. I was only able to find a bag of chick starter no game bird starter and the chick one only has like 18 % protien or something like that . I know the game birds need more so I have been giveing them eggs ether scrambled or hard boiled and smashed up. Can they have some eggs every day or is that not good for them. Are there other things I can feed them till I can locate them the game bird starter? Thank you so much.

 

[GrandmaBird]

I have heard of adding cat food that is run through a blender or fish food but I just use game bird feed. The egg is fine and be sure to leave the shell on they can use the extra calcium. good luck

 

[Peacerose]

I have seen gamebird chick starter on ebay and also google "cutler supply".

If you want to add dry cat food, the ratio is 1/4 cup cat food to 2 cups starter.

 

[gabrielle1976]

Thanks everyone. I found a feed store with pheasnt food , do you think that would work ? Does anyone know exactly what percentage of protien the babies are sapose to have ? Also when do they switch to adult food? Is the time frame diffrent for all the diffrent kind of quail I know my jumbo browns at just a tad over 4 weeks are almost adult but I dont know aobut bobs or chukar or buttons.

 

[TonysChickens]

Try and see if you can get Turkey starter. That should have higher protein.

 

[GrandmaBird]

I only have buttons and just give the chicks the same game bird feed that is high protein at 28%, plus oyster shell powder no seeds until 4 weeks of age. It is the same as I give my laying hen and male but I run it through the blender and make a small cornmeal texture of it. The buttons will begin to show signs of being an out of the brooder and semi-adult at 6 weeks, adult at 10 weeks and by 12 weeks should be paired up. You can switch them to a lower protein, 18-20%, if you want when they are not mating but why? I guess they could get fat but doubt it. anyway hope this helps some sorry I do not know about the others.