Quail and supplemental calcium

[Susan Skylark]

I usually feed a high protein chicken layer feed to my coturnix with some supplemental Ground egg shells for a couple big celadons that otherwise like to lay soft shells. Due to an issue getting feed (three different stores in 3 states were out of just that particular type) I’ll be feeding an all flock of the same brand, actually what our golden pheasants get, for a bit. The protein is the same but there isn’t much for added calcium but I figured calcium was easier to supplement than protein. I got some crushed oyster shells (only calcium we have locally available) too but will it be enough; are they small enough for quail to handle? I don’t have enough egg shells to feed everybody and I’m a little nervous, anybody do this routinely? In theory it should work but quail don’t read those particular books sometimes!

 

[muddy75]

I usually feed a high protein chicken layer feed to my coturnix with some supplemental Ground egg shells for a couple big celadons that otherwise like to lay soft shells. Due to an issue getting feed (three different stores in 3 states were out of just that particular type) I’ll be feeding an all flock of the same brand, actually what our golden pheasants get, for a bit. The protein is the same but there isn’t much for added calcium but I figured calcium was easier to supplement than protein. I got some crushed oyster shells (only calcium we have locally available) too but will it be enough; are they small enough for quail to handle? I don’t have enough egg shells to feed everybody and I’m a little nervous, anybody do this routinely? In theory it should work but quail don’t read those particular books sometimes!

I feel like the oyster shell is sometimes too large for quail. Do you have a means of crushing the larger pieces more?

 

[Sefirothe]

I got a couple bags of this to offer as a supplement once the chicks in my incubator/brooder grow up:

https://www.chewy.com/browns-encore-avian-grit-digestive/dp/216143

 

[Nabiki]

I have a stainless steel mortar and pestle that I use to crush oyster shell into smaller pieces.