Protein Ratio of feed for coturnix

[OzChick]

Just wondering what level of protein people feed their birds.

I haven't been able to source a game bird/turkey starter here in Western Australia with protein higher than 19%.

So at the moment I have a laying mash (15% protein), which I combine with meat meal (apparently normally around 50-65%). For the babies I've been using 4 parts to 1 part (so 4 of the laying mash). So between 22-25% protein at the moment (hmm - probably need to up that a bit!)

Now that my first quails are reaching maturity (the boys have started to crow)

I noticed in the East they have a starter, grower and finisher feed - but can't find the difference in the product. Can anybody assist, I'd like to at least know the protein percentage for the different ages.

Thanks in advance

Liane

 

[JJMR794]

Purina Is A Major Feed Manufacturer Here In The Us

Startrena 30% Gamebird Starter

Layena Gamebird Conditioner And Layer Crumbles (gamebird Not Chicken=== They Make Both Under This Name) 29%

Gamebird Maintenance Diet 27% ( I Beleive--- I Only Use Startrena Throughout Their Entire Life Cycle)


Hope This Helps Mate!

 

[OzChick]

Thanks heaps - I wanted to make sure that I wasn't giving them too high a protein diet. But I think I can still up the levels a bit.

My first batch have only just started to mature (at 6 weeks they are around 240g). They hatched from eggs given to me by a workmate that knew I had an incubator.

I'd like to get some jumbo's - but not sure anybody in Australia has any for sale

There is mention of a farm over in NSW (Redgate Farm) that sells "Jurassic quail" which sound interesting - they claim to have the largest coturnix in the world
to quote "Quail meat is popular and a dressed quail weighs 180 to 200 g. Red Gate Farm near Maitland markets 800-900 dressed quail (Jurassic quail) per week exceeding 300g"
They claim "Our quail are the largest that are grown for the table worldwide (we have spent the last decade searching the world for comparable finished weights on birds)"

I tried emailing them to see if they sell eggs to public - but no go.

Would have been interesting....

Anyway - if I can up the protein a bit, hopefully the will get a bit bigger.

Thanks again.

Liane

 

[JJMR794]

Email Them And Ask What They Do With Their Smaller Quail--- The Ones That Dont Make The Grade? Maybe They Will Sell You Live Birds?

 

[OzChick]

Unfortunately I'm in Western Australia - and they are on the other side. So eggs are really the only way I'd be able to get some. Quarantine between the two sides is pretty heavy these days.

I noticed they sell products at some of the markets in Sydney, so I might see if I can find someone to check out whether or not they sell quail eggs... hopefully if they do, they will be fertile. Worth a try at least. I'm hoping it's not going to end up being like plants, where WA can't have shipments of live plants from the rest of Australia.

But that's another issue

Thanks again for the help with the ratio's.

Liane