How should I get extra protein in my button quail chicks diet?

[button_quails]

have been thinking of feeding them boiled eggs but I am not sure how old they have to be or if there is a part they specifically can't have.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

How old are your Quail?

Are you feeding them a starter or commercial feed?

I don't have Buttons, but for Coturnix, I feed a Gamebird Starter.
If you have Tractor Supply, hopefully you should be able to get a 30% protein Gamebird Starter there. I believe they carry Purina Brand. I've used that before and it was fine. I use Tucker Milling Quail Starter, but I have to get that at a small feed store in my area.
Hopefully others will chime in with suggestions.

Your Quail chicks can have hard boiled eggs, but I would still try to source a Quail feed if possible.

 

[button_quails]

Welcome To BYC

How old are your Quail?

Are you feeding them a starter or commercial feed?

I don't have Buttons, but for Coturnix, I feed a Gamebird Starter.
If you have Tractor Supply, hopefully you should be able to get a 30% protein Gamebird Starter there. I believe they carry Purina Brand. I've used that before and it was fine. I use Tucker Milling Quail Starter, but I have to get that at a small feed store in my area.
Hopefully others will chime in with suggestions.

Your Quail chicks can have hard boiled eggs, but I would still try to source a Quail feed if possible.


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Thanks for the info, I was already planning to feed them a quail feed but I want to make sure they got all the necessary nutrients to be healthy and strong.

 

[WoDia]

@button_quails I have mine on what @Wyorp Rock suggests (30% Gamebird Starter) from day 1. You’ll probably need to grind it down to almost a powder for them, since they’re so incredibly tiny.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm with those recommending a game bird feed.

I am "not fond"* of trying to turn an inadequate feed into an adequate feed by the inclusion of other things - its generally cheaper, and far more certain, to simply buy a feed designed to meet your flock's needs right off the shelf.

Exception for raising ducklings, simply to meet their niacin needs, particularly Pekins - that's relatively easy with a good feed designed for chicken when a reasonable waterfowl or good "all flock" isn't available off the shelf.

 

[terriergal]

I know this is an old thread but for coturnix /jumbo coturnix will the purina game bird starter be the right size or will that also need to be ground? I have been using a hand coffee grinder (conical ceramic grinder) for small amounts of caged bird feed for years and I could do that for a while for these if needed when/if I get some out of my incubator (just starting with quail but I bred exotic finches for a few years a while back)

 

[WoDia]

I know this is an old thread but for coturnix /jumbo coturnix will the purina game bird starter be the right size or will that also need to be ground? I have been using a hand coffee grinder (conical ceramic grinder) for small amounts of caged bird feed for years and I could do that for a while for these if needed when/if I get some out of my incubator (just starting with quail but I bred exotic finches for a few years a while back)

I raise Bobwhites and Kings (Button). I use Gamebird crumbles for both. If you don’t think the crumbles are ground down enough for your hatchlings, it’s okay to grind them down further until they grow bigger. I do that for mine the first week or so.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know this is an old thread but for coturnix /jumbo coturnix will the purina game bird starter be the right size or will that also need to be ground? I have been using a hand coffee grinder (conical ceramic grinder) for small amounts of caged bird feed for years and I could do that for a while for these if needed when/if I get some out of my incubator (just starting with quail but I bred exotic finches for a few years a while back)

I raise Bobwhites and Kings (Button). I use Gamebird crumbles for both. If you don’t think the crumbles are ground down enough for your hatchlings, it’s okay to grind them down further until they grow bigger. I do that for mine the first week or so.

I agree, there's nothing that says you "can't" grind feed down to a smaller size or even a powder for the first week or two if you feel the crumble size is too large.
Quail grow quickly, so usually after the first week they can manage most crumbles, but it's always good to just watch them eat, see if any are struggling, if that's the case, grind for a little while longer.