Protein Deficiency

[Nichrome]

Hi All,

I have a bit of a concern about feeding protein to my quails. I feed seeds as the crumbs in my area have the reputation of being of a very poor quality. My feed is made of hemp, millet, canary grass seeds, grain, safflower, rapeseed and some other seeds in smaller proportions. Apart, I regularly feed lettuce and fruit but my birds do not seem to like it much. They also seem to dislike corn and crumbs.

My question is, during the laying season, how do I know that my birds are getting enough protein? What are the symptoms of a protein deficiency in a quail?

 

[HowieNZ]

I am in the same situation with the game bird crumbles available to me only 23% protein so I am supplementing with meal worms and or hard boiled crushed eggs.

 

[Sycamore27]

Well, based on a quick bit of checking, if you were mixing a feed of equal parts hemp seed, millet, canary grass seed, safflower, and rapeseed you would get a feed of roughly 18.64% protein. It may be a hair higher than that based on differing numbers I found and not knowing the specific varieties of millet and such, but probably not by more than 1% if that. That isn't terrible, but higher would be better.

If you look up crude analysis of each seed you may be able to find more specific information knowing what you actually use and have available in your area, however it appears the hemp seed and rapeseed are the highest protein of that mix.
You can always change the proportions of these to get a higher protein mix, however from what I've read quail thrive best off an insect protein source. Here we have mealworms, BSF and the like available, are there any insects you can raise to feed your quail?

As far as evidence of protein deficiency, I would think you would see fewer or poor quality eggs and if hatching, weak offspring. After molt the birds may grow in weak or misshapen feathers or their body condition might become poor without proper protein to support muscle mass and strength. However, I think the protein would have to be very very low for those sort of problems to occur, I would think the most that you would see in the range I estimated for what you are feeding would be fewer/poorer eggs if any problems at all.

Cheers,
Jessie

 

[Nichrome]

Birds look like a beauty, feathers are perfect, size is slightly small as they live in a big open aviary so do plenty of exercise. Egg quality is a big question mark as I am having trouble hatching cali chicks as you can read in my other post.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/802176/calis-pipping-and-not-hatching

 

[TwoCrows]

The first thing that happens when hens are not getting enough protein is the egg laying drops off. Generally a hen should lay approx. 4 or 5 times a week. Some lay more, some lay less. But this is the general rule. If the birds are young and healthy, and the egg production starts to decline to 2 times or less a week, that is the first sign of a lack of protein.

The next thing you will see is poor feathering. Dull, splitting and frayed. When the molt in in the fall, the feathers will have a lot of stress bars on them. You can see that if you hold up a feather and you can see where it is thinner. Horizontal lines in the feathers.

If the lack of protein gets worse, then the bird becomes lethargic and tired all the time.

As for males, they do not need the high protein that the females do as the protein is mostly needed for egg production. During times of the off breeding season, reducing the protein is actually a good idea.

 

[Nichrome]

Hmm, feathers are fine but i have some concerns about the lay rate. My young quails do not lay that much.

Given that they are free ranging, could it be they have a higher protein requirement? On the other hand, they have access to insectivorous food so maybe that should do the trick. I'll try to buy a box of dried mealworms and see if it gets any better.

 

[TwoCrows]

Natural food is always healthy for poultry, but laying hens need more protein. In the wild, hens lay a clutch of eggs and be done with it. Caged and penned quail continue to lay. Everyday. And they need more protein than can be gotten from just natural foods. If you offer up more protein and gamebird food, they should start laying more frequently.

 

[marksouth]

Hi, I'm new to both quail and the forum so you might get annoyed at all the newbie questions from me, hopefully not though. What is BSF. Did a google and no hits.
Thanks!

 

[TwoCrows]

You might be talking about Black Soldier Fly, BSF. There is a thread on it here somewhere...let me see if I can find it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/766028/newb-asking-about-black-soldier-fly-larva-bsfl

Actually there are several threads all over BYC on the BSF.

Oh, and welcome to BYC and the quail forums!

 

[marksouth]

Thanks Twocrows for the welcome and the info!