Looking to get into quail.... Feed/Housing questions!

[chicken boy sam]

I haven't posted on here in what seems like forever!

Anyways, I am currently looking into getting some coturnix quail- Preferably a trio/pair of goldens and a trio/pair of A & M or english whites. I was wondering what to feed them in the earlier stages of their lives and when they are mature? I have access to Purina FlockRaiser ( http://lakesidefeed.com/catalog/product/24/flock-raiser-sunfresh-recipe ), Honor Turkey Starter (http://lakesidefeed.com/catalog/product/24701/honor-show-chow-turkey-starter ), and any of the feeds in this link: http://lakesidefeed.com/catalog/27528/poultry


I also have enough hardware cloth to make a two 12" high, 21" wide, 19" long cages (One for each color/variety). How many birds could I fit comfortably into each cage? Their water would be one of those bottles that hangs outside of the cage with the area for them to get water inside the cage. Also, would it be safe to have them eat from a small feed trough that is outside the cage so they need to stick their heads out of the slot to eat?


I am planning on using these two pairs/trios to produce chicks, and I would raise the A & M's for meat and the goldens for eggs/meat. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks, CBS

 

[Caribear]

Hi,

I'm just getting into coturnix myself, but I hope I can answer some of your questions.

Of the feeds you have listed, I would go with the turkey starter. Coturnix need at least 20% protein bare minimum, but the higher the better. When they are small, you can take the feed and grind it up (either in a food processor or blender, or even with a mortar and pestle) or you could do what I have been doing and make a mash of food and water. The food will soak up the water and become soft enough for them to eat easily. I put a little ACV in my water and they love it. You can also give them scrambled eggs as a treat, they love it.

In general, cots need about 1 square foot per bird. So for the cage size you listed, I would say it would comfortably hold a trio. The feed trough I think is a good idea, it will save you a lot of cleanup. They like to scratch in their food and throw it all over the place. Those waterers are great also, I use them and love them. You may also want to put in a dish of dirt or sand, because they love to take dust baths. If you are putting them outside, you will probably want to make sure the cages are raised high enough that predators can't get to them, especially if the wire is big enough for them to stick their heads through. I learned this the hard way, lost two cots to raccoons. I couldn't raise my cage, but I now have an electric fence around it that keeps them safe. Also a board that lets them get off the wire is nice.

All cots are good for both eggs and meat, so far as I know. Your plan sounds great!

Here is a link to a thread that may help you more than I have:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore

Good luck!

 

[chicken boy sam]

Thanks so much! I believe they will be living inside (We have a chicken coop, but only half of it is housing the chickens, the other half is where we store the feed, so I don't think we'll have to worry about that disease that quail can get from chickens). Is it cruel to keep them inside full time? I also have a wire cage I could put outside, but it's kind of large and offers no protection from the outdoor elements.

So I can just feed them the turkey starter from day-olds to laying adults?

 

[shwung79]

Yes! Quail can be kept on a game bird based diet for life. You will also want to supplement their diet with Oyster shell, leafy greens and obviously fresh water. Always provide them a dust bath and a cheap coffee grinder works perfectly for grinding both food and oyster shell. Good Luck!

 

[chicken boy sam]

Sounds awesome! I think I will try hatching them so they hatch the day before christmas, that gives me some time to get everything together... Plus little quail chicks would be an awesome christmas present!!!