Help with Gambel, Bobwhite food

[Derrickapw]

Hello everyone, I already have coturnix and button quail and their food works just fine. However, I just recently got some bobwhite, snowflake bobwhite, and gambel quail. Does anyone know based on experience raising them how much protein their food should have? Or better yet, a name and brand of the bat food to give them? The lady I got them from says she doesn’t recommend anything over 18% protein for all three of these different quail I got, while a lot of other people online say many contradicting things. I’m just trying to make sure I don’t just continue to feed them food that’s not benefiting them. Please help!

 

[Nabiki]

Bobwhite and gambels have pretty much the same dietary needs as coturnix and buttons. Here is an article that will help you find what you're looking for. I hesitate to recommend specific brands since you can often find good local brands that have all the nutrition that they need.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

 

[Partridgeguy]

We feed ours Mazuri Gamebird. Excellent health

 

[CliftonQuail]

We feed ours Mazuri Gamebird. Excellent health

I just looked at the labels on the Mazuri Gamebird feeds. Except for the price (on Chewy), the starter (over $1/pound) and breeder (83 cents/pound) both looked pretty good with 30% and 20% protein respectively. The breeder with 2.5 to 3.5% calcium sounds good for the hens, but I'd be concerned that might be too high for the males. Also, although the breeder shows Lysine at 2.5%, it merely lists Dl-Methionine as an ingredient way down on the list and doesn't list a percentage in the guaranteed analysis. The maintenance feed only has 12% protein (yikes!) and doesn't list Lysine or Methionine in the analysis at all? I don't think I'll be using any of those when I restart my quail raising.

Even if there are better prices than what I saw at Chewy, I doubt I'd switch. When I was raising them, my birds did great on feed from a local(ish) mill.

 

[Partridgeguy]

I just looked at the labels on the Mazuri Gamebird feeds. Except for the price (on Chewy), the starter (over $1/pound) and breeder (83 cents/pound) both looked pretty good with 30% and 20% protein respectively. The breeder with 2.5 to 3.5% calcium sounds good for the hens, but I'd be concerned that might be too high for the males. Also, although the breeder shows Lysine at 2.5%, it merely lists Dl-Methionine as an ingredient way down on the list and doesn't list a percentage in the guaranteed analysis. The maintenance feed only has 12% protein (yikes!) and doesn't list Lysine or Methionine in the analysis at all? I don't think I'll be using any of those when I restart my quail raising.

Even if there are better prices than what I saw at Chewy, I doubt I'd switch. When I was raising them, my birds did great on feed from a local(ish) mill.

 

[Partridgeguy]

That's cool use what works for you. I raise Mearns Quail, a few Benson, Gamble, Blue Scale and Valleys along with all your color Bobs. Never had any problems with males and the shells on the eggs are superior. My sister who works at one of major zoo in the Us recommend it to me. They all seem to do excellent on the Mazuri with no problems at all and better health than other feeds. I use to use Purina but the dust waste was unbelievable from that feed. We also use a various of seeds as a treat.

 

[Nabiki]

I haven't used Mazuri feed for my birds but they were what I used for my chinchillas. They have a very good reputation and are pricey for a reason.