Needing a bit of help.

[ZephyrWestWind]

So roughly two-three weeks ago rescued some Gambel's quail eggs from our neighbor's hay stacks. Five out of sixteen have hatched so far (The eggs are under a broddy hen at our friends house) and four have hatched but died. We are going to bring them home but we dont know what to feed them. What we should feed them and other advice is welcome! Thanks!

~Zephyra~

 

[dc3085]

28-30% protein gamebird starter or turkey starter. They also need probiotics added to their water for digestion. You can use avian or human probiotics, even yogurt in a pinch.

 

[ZephyrWestWind]

28-30% protein gamebird starter or turkey starter. They also need probiotics added to their water for digestion. You can use avian or human probiotics, even yogurt in a pinch. 

Great Thanks!

 

[Magic Birdie]

I agree with dc3085, and I've also heard they can eat cat food and boiled eggs, as long as everything they eat is ground up enough.

(dc3085, must the protein be so high? I hear above 20% is good...)

 

[Quail Jailer]

I agree with dc3085, and I've also heard they can eat cat food and boiled eggs, as long as everything they eat is ground up enough.

(dc3085, must the protein be so high? I hear above 20% is good...)

Hey birdie, I'm not DC of course, over 20%is more ok for adult birds but the chicks need the extra protein.

And as to the cat food, ick I never feed my birds animal protein.

 

[Magic Birdie]

I agree with dc3085, and I've also heard they can eat cat food and boiled eggs, as long as everything they eat is ground up enough.


(dc3085, must the protein be so high? I hear above 20% is good...)

Hey birdie, I'm not DC of course, over 20%is more ok for adult birds but the chicks need the extra protein.

And as to the cat food, ick I never feed my birds animal protein.

Hm, I've heard someone say it

Do you think chick starter/grower with 20% would be okay if I supplement with eggs?

 

[Quail Jailer]

If its the best you can get, it'll beat starving. That said I'd really try for a 28%+ game bird starter.
I have a very low mortality rate and I attribute much of it to good food.

 

[Magic Birdie]

If its the best you can get, it'll beat starving. That said I'd really try for a 28%+ game bird starter.
I have a very low mortality rate and I attribute much of it to good food.

Ah, thanks.

 

[ZephyrWestWind]

Hey! Thanks everyone for helping! I have a new question now.

We brought the quail home and 1 has a little patch of feathers sticking up on its head. He seems to be able to control it like a parrot controls its crest. Does that mean its a boy?

 

[dc3085]

I agree with dc3085, and I've also heard they can eat cat food and boiled eggs, as long as everything they eat is ground up enough.

(dc3085, must the protein be so high? I hear above 20% is good...)

Most of the crucial development takes place in the first few days, and the balance, over the first few weeks. If they don't have sufficient protein during that time, they tend to end up bantam sized instead of jumbo. Since the bags don't cost any different anywhere I've ever been I'd say it isn't worth going with less unless it's all you can get. I've yet to encounter a store that won't order feed for me either, so if they don't carry it they can typically get it. Especially anyone who is a purina dealer.

That said I've seen chicks raised on 24%, that grew to a normal size, but I don't keep them around long enough to know how it affects them later in life being reared on lower protein. I've also created a whole batch of runts using chicken starter and hard boiled eggs. That was one sorry lot of birds compared to normal.

There is even research that suggests 24% as starter for coturnix and 20 percent as breeder food, so there surely is no danger in it. However keep in mind most of the research is funded as agricultural development, so they are looking for the minimum requirements for a healthy bird.

My personal recommendation is 30% for chicks and 20-24% for adult cots because it's worked the best for me. Many people even some of the people I learned from suggest feeding 30% their entire life. I personally have noticed an increase of prolapse in hens prone to large eggs when kept on 30% which is the only reason I don't do it. Otherwise they are healthy as possible and actually eat a bit less when fed 30% as adults. Again the bags are all the same price.

Hm, I've heard someone say it

Do you think chick starter/grower with 20% would be okay if I supplement with eggs?

Adults yes, chicks no. As I mentioned above I fed 21% chicken starter mixed with hard boiled eggs to a large group, and ended up with a whole bunch of 7-8 ounce birds, from 10-14 oz stock.

Hey! Thanks everyone for helping! I have a new question now.

We brought the quail home and 1 has a little patch of feathers sticking up on its head. He seems to be able to control it like a parrot controls its crest. Does that mean its a boy?

Doesn't mean a thing, both males and females have it, but it sure is cute isn't it?