I am devastated :( :( :( :(

[shelleyd2008]

Add a bit of water to the feed that you give them so it breaks down. I keep mine in a bowl in the fridge, uncovered, so it can dry out some more. I stir it often to break it up more. Not only does the wet mash make it easier for them to eat, it also makes it harder for them to scratch it out

 

[becky3086]

Quote:
Chicken starter does not meet their real needs!! They may do ok. on it, but for them to reach their full size, health, and reproduction potential, they NEED at least 26% protein.

No they don't. All the extra protein will do is make them grow faster. Have you tried using the chick starter? Works just as good. If a chick dies in the first 3 days it is usually because something was wrong with it to begin with.
Oh and I also don't grind up my feed (regular chicken starter!)for my quail chicks and they grow just fine.
My advice is: take advice from people who have tried different things than just those who post what they have always heard, you will learn more.

 

[Riffecreek]

Quote:
Chicken starter does not meet their real needs!! They may do ok. on it, but for them to reach their full size, health, and reproduction potential, they NEED at least 26% protein.

No they don't. All the extra protein will do is make them grow faster. Have you tried using the chick starter? Works just as good. If a chick dies in the first 3 days it is usually because something was wrong with it to begin with.
Oh and I also don't grind up my feed (regular chicken starter!)for my quail chicks and they grow just fine.
My advice is: take advice from people who have tried different things than just those who post what they have always heard, you will learn more.

I HAVE tried everything under the sun!! If the chicks are "stunted" ( or not grown as fast as they can be) in the first weeks of their lives, they will NOT reach their FULL POTENTIAL of body weight! Will they live a healthy life? Yes, there is nothing wrong with them.

BTW, I don't use chick starter or game bird starter! I use a pullet grower mash (15%) mixed 50/50 with soybean meal (48%) that is a 31% protein feed.

 

[Riffecreek]

Btw If the person that has started this thread wants quail and don't mind for them to be coturnix. P.M. me! You pay shipping and I'll send you 30 eggs free! it will cost u about $7.00..

 

[FeatheredObsessions]

Quote:
No they don't. All the extra protein will do is make them grow faster. Have you tried using the chick starter? Works just as good. If a chick dies in the first 3 days it is usually because something was wrong with it to begin with.
Oh and I also don't grind up my feed (regular chicken starter!)for my quail chicks and they grow just fine.
My advice is: take advice from people who have tried different things than just those who post what they have always heard, you will learn more.

I HAVE tried everything under the sun!! If the chicks are "stunted" ( or not grown as fast as they can be) in the first weeks of their lives, they will NOT reach their FULL POTENTIAL of body weight! Will they live a healthy life? Yes, there is nothing wrong with them.

BTW, I don't use chick starter or game bird starter! I use a pullet grower mash (15%) mixed 50/50 with soybean meal (48%) that is a 31% protein feed.

There are multiple studies through out the world on the quail feed needs. Quail, certainly coturnix, have been studied because of their small size, egg laying availability, and fast rate of growth and reproduction. All of which being much faster than chickens and greatly beneficial to areas with little food and space. I personally have used many feeds and know a quail can live with low protein but I have seen the affects of feeding both. I also have read many studies on protein in quail. All studies show that quail fed 24-32% report better growth and production. Some studies suggest that protein after 3-5 weeks can be dropped to 20% but lower than 24% in the first 3 weeks and lower than 20% at 4 weeks and older diminshed the quails egg production and mass.

 

[Dogfish]

Use a blender to crush feed. works well.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
I HAVE tried everything under the sun!! If the chicks are "stunted" ( or not grown as fast as they can be) in the first weeks of their lives, they will NOT reach their FULL POTENTIAL of body weight! Will they live a healthy life? Yes, there is nothing wrong with them.

BTW, I don't use chick starter or game bird starter! I use a pullet grower mash (15%) mixed 50/50 with soybean meal (48%) that is a 31% protein feed.

There are multiple studies through out the world on the quail feed needs. Quail, certainly coturnix, have been studied because of their small size, egg laying availability, and fast rate of growth and reproduction. All of which being much faster than chickens and greatly beneficial to areas with little food and space. I personally have used many feeds and know a quail can live with low protein but I have seen the affects of feeding both. I also have read many studies on protein in quail. All studies show that quail fed 24-32% report better growth and production. Some studies suggest that protein after 3-5 weeks can be dropped to 20% but lower than 24% in the first 3 weeks and lower than 20% at 4 weeks and older diminshed the quails egg production and mass.

My birds are receiving 30% protein they start laying eggs at 5 1/2-6 weeks I am lazy I do not mix my own feed I know how to use pearson's square put I use startina by purina