More protein?

[chipens]

I am hatching my first quail Eggs, i have brought a meatbird crumble that has 19% protein. Will babies be ok on this or do I need more protein? Is there a way to boost the protein somehow by Adding something? Also would the %19 be ok for adults.
Thanks for any help! ☺

 

[rlchatham]

They should get about 20-28% protein. I get my game bird feed from Atwood's. It's 28%. Of course, you will have to grind it a bit smaller for the first few weeks.

 

[lomine]

I wouldn't feed less than 22%. Growing quail chicks will need a lot more than 19% for sure. You can add things that are high in protein to the feed. Some common things are cooked eggs, mealworms, fish, dry cat food, sprouted grains (watch the fat or salt levels). For chicks you will have to make sure everything is chopped really small. If you give anything other than commercial feed or cooked eggs you will need to provide some kind of grit (plain sand is good).

I'm surprised a meat bird feed is so low in protein. Even my Flock Raiser that I feed to my chickens and ducks is 20%. I use Manna Pro gamebird/showbird for the quail (24%). You may want to look at the other feeds available to you. Usually turkey feed is higher in protein. Also maybe a feather mixer mix.

 

[chipens]

So hard to find anything decent here in nz. I have found some stuff online one you mix though layer mash to improve it the other a complete feed. I think I will get the complete one. But Do you think if i mixed boiled/scrambled egg with the crumble it would be ok? As back up?

 

[R2elk]

So hard to find anything decent here in nz. I have found some stuff online one you mix though layer mash to improve it the other a complete feed. I think I will get the complete one. But Do you think if i mixed boiled/scrambled egg with the crumble it would be ok? As back up?

The crumbled up hard boiled eggs without the shells will not boost the protein but will be really good for them.

 

[HappySetHayes]

Hi - I'm in NZ and hatched out a couple of baby quails. I fed them Sharpes Meat Bird Crumble which is 19% protein and my birds grew up fine.

Mine were hatched by a broody quail hen, which is unusual, and this meant they were out in the pen with a dirt floor from day one and they were very quick to scratch around for bugs, so they had a bit of supplementation (but the pen is only about 1m2 and under cover so it's not exactly crawling with bug life). I started tossing them a scoop of compost from my garden every couple of days filled with bugs which they loved.

They are now fully grown and are much better at foraging than the older girls. One of them jumps up and nips my fingers when I reach in the cage because she thinks I'm bringing bugs to eat!

I now feed them dried mealworms which they absolutely love so I think you could supplement the food with those if you don't have access to live bugs. Otherwise the meatbird crumble is probably sufficient (even if people recommend 20%+) but they might be slightly slower to start laying. Mine turned out fine

 

[chipens]

Hi - I'm in NZ and hatched out a couple of baby quails. I fed them Sharpes Meat Bird Crumble which is 19% protein and my birds grew up fine.

Mine were hatched by a broody quail hen, which is unusual, and this meant they were out in the pen with a dirt floor from day one and they were very quick to scratch around for bugs, so they had a bit of supplementation (but the pen is only about 1m2 and under cover so it's not exactly crawling with bug life). I started tossing them a scoop of compost from my garden every couple of days filled with bugs which they loved.

They are now fully grown and are much better at foraging than the older girls. One of them jumps up and nips my fingers when I reach in the cage because she thinks I'm bringing bugs to eat!

I now feed them dried mealworms which they absolutely love so I think you could supplement the food with those if you don't have access to live bugs. Otherwise the meatbird crumble is probably sufficient (even if people recommend 20%+) but they might be slightly slower to start laying. Mine turned out fine

Thanks for all that! That's exactly the feed i have the sharpes meatbird crumble. I have found some stuff on trademe thats 28%, i might get for the start. But the meatbird seems to be about the only thing I can get locally

 

[R2elk]

Thanks for all that! That's exactly the feed i have the sharpes meatbird crumble. I have found some stuff on trademe thats 28%, i might get for the start. But the meatbird seems to be about the only thing I can get locally

If you want to up the protein you can crumble up mealworms. Just be careful that you don't feed too many mealworms since they are approximately 50% protein.

 

[lomine]

Mealworms are also high in fat (around 28%).

Quail can survive and grow on lower protein but it's not good for them. Here's findings from a study done on coturnix quail protein requirements.

"Two completely randomized trials were conducted to estimate protein requirements of Japanese quails during the rearing and laying periods. In each trial, 150 quails were distributed in five treatments with five repetitions. Crude protein levels in the rearing period were 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26% (Trial 1) and during the laying period were 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24% (Trial 2). A quadratic effect of protein level was observed on weight gain from seven to 35 days (Trial 1). There were no effects of protein levels on feed intake and feed conversion. Protein levels in experimental diets during rearing had no effect on egg production up to 63 days. However, laying was delayed and variation in body weight was greater in quails fed lower protein levels. In Trial 2, a quadratic effect of protein levels was seen on egg production and feed conversion; and a linear effect was seen on mean egg weight and feed intake. Crude protein levels of 23.08% and 21.95% were estimated by regression equations for rearing and laying, respectively."

The conclusion:
"The findings of this study suggested that the levels of 23.08% and 21.95% of crude protein in the diet of Japanese quails are recommended for the rearing period (7 to 35 days) and laying period (42 to 98 days), respectively."

If you want to read the entire thing here is the link. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-635X2003000200010

 

[BobDBirdDog]

I usually get a couple of cans of sardines in watter and add it in. Stinks, attracts flies and other critters like cats and opossiums though so keep the shotgun handy.
Its a little cold but even a few maggots will provide a tastey treat for them and boost up the program.
More in summer weater, I just add a light to the brooder at night and the chicks get all the free insects they want..... very entertaining to watch as well.