Food?

[Tenesexx]

I have 4 week old quails when and what type of veggies and seeds can I introduce to them because I domt want them to live off pellets

 

[igorsMistress]

Anything that's small enough for them to eat. Meatbird crumble is what I fed mine, and food designed for them is best in order to meet their nutritional needs. Plus whatever bird seed I found that said it attracted quail and whatever veggies they liked. Mine were partial to greens and cucumbers. They'll need grit too in order to process seeds.

 

[CindyinSD]

Quail need a super high protein feed, especially while they're growing or producing eggs. Gamebird feed is your best bet. For smaller birds you may need to sift it or grind it to get the tiniest pieces for chicks or button quail. Aim for 29% protein feed. That's hard to do (really hard) without using commercial feed. Anything you feed them in addition dilutes this protein percentage unless you're feeding meat or insects. These have to be small enough for your breed/age bird to eat. They cannot tear or bite food unless it's pretty soft.

 

[Tenesexx]

Quail need a super high protein feed, especially while they're growing or producing eggs. Gamebird feed is your best bet. For smaller birds you may need to sift it or grind it to get the tiniest pieces for chicks or button quail. Aim for 29% protein feed. That's hard to do (really hard) without using commercial feed. Anything you feed them in addition dilutes this protein percentage unless you're feeding meat or insects. These have to be small enough for your breed/age bird to eat. They cannot tear or bite food unless it's pretty soft.

Mine are japanese and I was wandering if I can feed them their normal food chick crumb at this time also with like romaine lettuce cucumber ect also what are do they need to change their pellets to grower and layers? And is it needed for oyster shells

 

[CindyinSD]

I'm not a quail raiser, but I do follow a quail hatch-a-long thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-quail-hatch-along.1276785/page-2868#post-22404349

The people on this thread are friendly and will answer your questions if you go there. I read the whole thread because I am also interested in keeping quail. I think they can do a better job answering your questions than I.

I think they'll tell you that it's best to feed only game bird feed for at least the first eight weeks while they're growing. If you can't get gamebird feed, then feed for meat chickens should work, but you'll need to sift or grind it until they get bigger. You should feed the highest protein feed you can buy. After they're older you can offer the cucumbers, greens, etc, along with their high-protein feed.

Japanese Coturnix quail have been domesticated for so many centuries that they are now not able to survive in the wild, but they've really kept their wild dietary needs. They would have survived in the wild by eating high-protein insects, maybe with a small amount of green food. For the most part though, they need protein. They may eat green plants (I don't know) but their natural diet is insects. High protein feed is an affordable substitute for that natural diet.

@Kiki @RUNuts @muddy75

 

[RUNuts]

I'm not a quail raiser, but I do follow a quail hatch-a-long thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-quail-hatch-along.1276785/page-2868#post-22404349

The people on this thread are friendly and will answer your questions if you go there. I read the whole thread because I am also interested in keeping quail. I think they can do a better job answering your questions than I.

I think they'll tell you that it's best to feed only game bird feed for at least the first eight weeks while they're growing. If you can't get gamebird feed, then feed for meat chickens should work, but you'll need to sift or grind it until they get bigger. You should feed the highest protein feed you can buy. After they're older you can offer the cucumbers, greens, etc, along with their high-protein feed.

Japanese Coturnix quail have been domesticated for so many centuries that they are now not able to survive in the wild, but they've really kept their wild dietary needs. They would have survived in the wild by eating high-protein insects, maybe with a small amount of green food. For the most part though, they need protein. They may eat green plants (I don't know) but their natural diet is insects. High protein feed is an affordable substitute for that natural diet.

@Kiki @RUNuts @muddy75

MyShire recommends high protein (26-30%) for the first 8-10 weeks for maximum growth for meat birds. Then 16-18% layer rations with the higher calcium for egg laying.

@Tenesexx What is the protein percentage of your chick crumb?

Put electrolytes in the water. Important vitamin is niacin.

I have one set that will eat greens. The other 2 sets will just stomp on them. I feed them curly dock, clover and grass from the yard. They do need grit if you feed them plants.

 

[muddy75]

Mine are japanese and I was wandering if I can feed them their normal food chick crumb at this time also with like romaine lettuce cucumber ect also what are do they need to change their pellets to grower and layers? And is it needed for oyster shells

Calcium in the food of 3.5% is best for layers even if lower protein....if you supplement with oyster shell....make sure it very fine ground as oyster shell for chickens can cause impacted crop and death in coturnix quail

 

[muddy75]

I'm not a quail raiser, but I do follow a quail hatch-a-long thread here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-quail-hatch-along.1276785/page-2868#post-22404349

The people on this thread are friendly and will answer your questions if you go there. I read the whole thread because I am also interested in keeping quail. I think they can do a better job answering your questions than I.

I think they'll tell you that it's best to feed only game bird feed for at least the first eight weeks while they're growing. If you can't get gamebird feed, then feed for meat chickens should work, but you'll need to sift or grind it until they get bigger. You should feed the highest protein feed you can buy. After they're older you can offer the cucumbers, greens, etc, along with their high-protein feed.

Japanese Coturnix quail have been domesticated for so many centuries that they are now not able to survive in the wild, but they've really kept their wild dietary needs. They would have survived in the wild by eating high-protein insects, maybe with a small amount of green food. For the most part though, they need protein. They may eat green plants (I don't know) but their natural diet is insects. High protein feed is an affordable substitute for that natural diet.

@Kiki @RUNuts @muddy75

Yes I feed meat bird crumble and typically grind it for 1-2 week chicks (others sift) mealworm treats can typically be given at 2 weeks once you’ve added a bit of chick grit and then you can add greens/scratch grain treats but still following 10% treat rule for healthy poultry.....mine are a bit spoiled dust baths should be offered as well especially if keeping on wire. @Kiki uses peat moss and puts in as early as 1-2 weeks.

 

[Tenesexx]

MyShire recommends high protein (26-30%) for the first 8-10 weeks for maximum growth for meat birds. Then 16-18% layer rations with the higher calcium for egg laying.

@Tenesexx What is the protein percentage of your chick crumb?

Put electrolytes in the water. Important vitamin is niacin.

I have one set that will eat greens. The other 2 sets will just stomp on them. I feed them curly dock, clover and grass from the yard. They do need grit if you feed them plants.

Well we are quite limited as of covid 19 however in the uk theres not many game bird feed I can provide them and if there is it would take forever to get here so i feed them the pets at home dodson and horrell that's what I got recommended it's what I've seen 19 % protein but I think this information is incorrect

 

[Tenesexx]

Yes I feed meat bird crumble and typically grind it for 1-2 week chicks (others sift) mealworm treats can typically be given at 2 weeks once you’ve added a bit of chick grit and then you can add greens/scratch grain treats but still following 10% treat rule for healthy poultry.....mine are a bit spoiled dust baths should be offered as well especially if keeping on wire. @Kiki uses peat moss and puts in as early as 1-2 weeks.

What dust bath do you use?