New to quail.. feeding question

[CaliTX]

I know quail need higher protein % than chickens.. However I don't love the price of gamebird feed. Can I feed them 20% protein regular chick starter, or do I need to find something else? They are about 5-6 weeks old.

 

[Chick Charm]

They need 26% protein or higher. If you have to feed them turkey feed 24%. But NO, DO NOT FEED CHICK STARTER FOR VERY LONG WITHOUT SUPPLIMENTING. They will suffer. You can for short periods of time but not for the long hall.

Wish ya the best.

 

[CaliTX]

Thank you Chick Charm- I was told 20% and up! Yikes. That means the game bird food I was looking at is insufficient as well. I think I'll make a trip to a bigger feed store and see what I can find there.

 

[Chick Charm]

I have raised batches on 24% Turkey feed and they did well. I also gave them boiled eggs mashed up to add protein. If you are raising them to butcher you can get by on 24% well. If you are keeping them to lay the Game Bird Starter (GBS) is the best because it has all the stuff they need. If you can get 28% that would be ideal.

 

[CaliTX]

Thank you. I would like to have layers and just butcher excess. They are such fun already. I did a little searching and Purina's website tells me one of the feedstores in my area caries "Game Bird Startena," which I believe it said was 30% protein. Is there such a thing as too high of protein with these little guys?

 

[veggiecanner]

I use the purina 30% and feed eggs too. I find feeding eggs cuts how much of the expensive feed they want to eat.

 

[CaliTX]

veggiecanner, how often/how many eggs do you feed? I have 10 quail right now. Once I build a bigger enclosure I might buy another 10 or so.

 

[veggiecanner]

No exact amount. 2 quail eggs was too much for 42 -2 days olds the first time. But 5 adults would clean it up and ask for more.

 

[QuailNewbee]

Hello..

I am a total newbie to quail. From reading the threads here I know that quail require higher protein feed. I am feeding Nutrena Turkey and Quail feed 30% protein. Is it OK for them to stay on this feed for all life stages? I am also growing a colony of mealworms and supplementing their feed with them. Do they still eggshell/extra calcium with the 30% ?

Also has anyone fed Organic feed and how does it compare?

Currently, I have 8 quail. 6 hens and 2 roos.

Thanks !

Valerie in Florida

 

[zbraswell92]

I've got 11 Courtix all together (3 Roos, 8 Hens.)
I'm feeding them Faithway 22% SUPER layer & Nutrena All Flock.
Is this ok, they seem to love it. They are just 4&1/2 weeks old now.
I also give them cracked corn, PP All Grain, milo/sorghum, OS, and Wellness CORE grain free cat food 3/week.
They seem to be doing great but no eggs yet...
Is this adequate for quail? Should I add some blood or fish meal to boost protein?
Or, could I just get chick starter and add soybean meal and blood meal?