getting first quail on Sat - advice please

[worldling]

Quote:
Don't just ask for game bird starter, demand it, and don't let Mr. Grumpy behind the counter sell you "Flock raiser" chicken feed because all his quail raising customers use it, and because he has 8 tons of it on hand. They are all wrong!

Be prepared to order it in advance, and pay $16-$20 a 50# bag for it.

Most feed stores carry what is generally called a "Game Chick waterier". That IMHO is the single best investment one can make if you want to raise any game bird chick in the coturnix/bobwhite weight class. No marbles, ball bearings, stones, rocks, sand gravel, required. Little Giant makes the ones I have.
You can order them online from https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=220
Or most other online poultry dealers if you can't find them locally.

 

[jerseygirl1]

OK, SO I will ask, too now, since we are on gamebird feed, what brand of Gamebird starter does everyone use? Reason I'm asking, I can't find it here, only regular gamebird from a local mill - so I've been giving them medicated chick starter. Yes, I now know that is not good, TSC doesn't carry gamebird starter.

 

[arbucklemurphy]

Ok. So I just went to both my local feed stores one told me they don't carry that as they are pretty small but were very honest with my about it. The other one was rude and told me that they sell game bird starter by the pound I said fine and got a 5lb bag but asked for a copy of the feed tag as I got in the car and started reading it what he sold me was 25% Turkey/Pheasant Starter Crumbles Medicated. Is this what I should feed them? If not if someone could suggest a brand or two I can research where I can find that localy.

 

[worldling]

Quote:
I feed my coturnix Purina Mills 30% protein game bird starter from hatch to dispatch. http://www.purinamills.com/OurProducts.aspx?product=gamebird
There is a dealer finder on their site. Just type in your zip.
I don't use the "ena" names, because if you go into a feed store and ask for "Startena" you will most likely get chicken chick starter because that's what PM calls that too.

Any Purina Mills dealer should be able to order you some GBS, thought good luck with TSC. Some people have gotten them to special order, and others have not. I think that has more to do with the individual store management, not the franchise it's self. It never hurts to ask, and when I say ask, I mean the store manager.

 

[worldling]

Quote:
Because this is a family board, I will not say what I really think of that feed store! There is no telling what type of feed is in that bag. If you are supper lucky, it's game bird starter, he just gave you the wrong feed tag, If you are real lucky it is what the feed tag says, 25% Turkey/Pheasant Starter Crumbles Medicated.
It is most likely what ever bag of feed that got busted open in the store. I hate to think the worst about people but if you sell anything by the pound you should probably have a couple bags around.

Some people feed turkey starter crumbles because they can't get GBS. Though I swear by Purina 30% GBS, I would feed turkey starter if it was a choice between that and chicken feed. I would definitely find another feed store.

Purina Mills http://www.purinamills.com/OurProducts.aspx?product=gamebird Type in your zip to find a dealer.
Nutrena http://www.nutrenaworld.com/nutrena/ I have never used their products, but I have seen good reviews of their game bird feed. They have a locater on their site as well.

 

[Kim_NC]

Well, our little quail babies are here and they're so cute! Wow, and tiny compared to chicken peeps!

So when we picked them up, the fellow gave me 2 extra. That ended up making the ave cost $1.36 instead of he $1.50. He was feeling good about the quail business yesterday. He had been to the local livestock auction in the morning and sold about 50 quail chicks (same age, 10-12 days) for $2.50 each. He hatches quail with his 4 yr old daughter as a hobby and sells the chicks.

Anyway, the little sweeties seemed quite happy in their brooder after we got back with them.

At what age can you sex them from the breast feather colors? I'm thinking it must be soon if they're mature enough to lay eggs at 7 weeks.

Thanks for everyone's help/comments. Interesting discussion about feed.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
Yes turkey/ pheasent is what i feed my Coturnix and buttons .. You did good .. SOrry about the rude salesmen.. They are all like that here..

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
I was able to sex mine at 5-6 weeks....I love the coturnix they are such a pretty bird and calm too .. pLus they taste yummy... I just hatched out 26 last week and its amazing how fast the lil buggers grow.. Already had to add a top to the brooder....

 

[Valley quail breeder]

Coturnix are Basically the cheapest species of Quails to buy.

 

[arbucklemurphy]

Thank you to everyone for their feed help. I found JS West 30% Gamebird Starter as well as a quail waterer. We should be all set now my egg's will be arriving tomorrow can't wait til they hatch!