Getting quail this week! Any tips?

[mdees88]

I am going to be feeding them Nutrena 20% protein Gamebird Feed and supplement with dried mealworms for extra protein. I am also going to give them grit with high calcium. Is there anything I should do differently for feeding?

Where are you located? Could you not find any higher protein feed?

 

[quailkid12345]

There are three feed stores near me and only this one carries gamebird feed. Are there any vegetables or fruits or something else that I could supplement with?

 

[mdees88]

There are three feed stores near me and only this one carries gamebird feed. Are there any vegetables or fruits or something else that I could supplement with?

There are plenty of people who feed 20% or less, especially outside of the US. The only problem I see is you might not be able to keep your jumbos, jumbos if you plan on hatching any and raising them.

Have you checked to see if they have turkey starter? All but 1 of my local feed stores carry it and it usually ranges from 26-30%, mostly 28 and 30%.

 

[quailkid12345]

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely check when I have to go and get new food. I'm also not super concerned with keeping them jumbo as they are mostly pets and maybe sell a few eggs for eating once my flock grows.

 

[mdees88]

Yeah, once they're around 10 weeks of age most breeders transition to a layer feed anyway which is usually 20% protein and has added calcium for the eggs. So I wouldn't get too worried if you can't get your hands on higher protein feed. They should be fine...

 

[quailkid12345]

Yeah, once they're around 10 weeks of age most breeders transition to a layer feed anyway which is usually 20% protein and has added calcium for the eggs. So I wouldn't get too worried if you can't get your hands on higher protein feed. They should be fine...

Oh okay!

 

[ShrekDawg]

I didn’t think any places near me sold gamebird feed either but believe it or not, this one is actually also a gamebird feed and good for quail!!! It even says so on the label.

I just recently learned that. @FortCluck feeds it. So if you have a Tractor Supply near you, maybe you can get it???

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-chick-starter-24-50-lb?cm_vc=-10005

And here is a good study on the protein requirements of quail. Ideally they should be getting around 23-24% feed until about 4-6 weeks old then you can go lower.

https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-635X2003000200010

ETA: I just reread it and realized your quail are already that old... whoops.

The other feed should be fine I think??? But higher protein wouldn’t hurt. I wouldn’t feed them too many treats.

 

[quailkid12345]

Once I start hatching chicks, I will most likely use that feed for them, so thanks! Also, do you know what is a good amount of mealworms to feed?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Once I start hatching chicks, I will most likely use that feed for them, so thanks! Also, do you know what is a good amount of mealworms to feed?

No problem!!! And I’m not entirely sure but I know for chickens treats are usually supposed to be limited to about 10% of the bird’s diet so I imagine it’s probably similar or the same for quail???