Quail Feed

[phi3]

Hi Guys, I'm about to invest in some Japanese Quails, However, It has been very difficult to find feed that has 25%+ protein that is recommended for quail.

It is extremely difficult to get the feed required from where I live, however, I have found some feed enhancer that I am able to add to poultry feed.
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I buy my feed from http://www.mirofeeds.co.nz/shoponline/Poultry-Aviary-Feed and normally get "Chook Chow" for my Pullets and Hens.

I am wondering from which of the feeds available on that website is suitable for quail (+ the feed enhancer)

Thanks.

 

[Lozuufy]

Personally I think the chick starter crumble would be the best cause of the high protein. You could hard-boil eggs and add them (mashed up) to the feed. Plus have a bowl of crushed oyster shell available for the females.

Is there any place that sells turkey or gamebird starter around you? That would probably be the ideal feed.

 

[phi3]

Hi there, Thanks for the reply.

I just found game bird feed (http://www.chookmanor.co.nz/food), I'm not sure what the protein % is, But I can always contact them, I think it does look suitable though. Only downside is that I'll incur a large shipping fee since they're located in the south island.

So it seems ideal to purchase the chick start crumble and feed enhancer since it's the more affordable option.

 

[Lozuufy]

Your welcome

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There is also a blog called "the holistic hen" and they make their own quail feed, might be some useful info there. They sprout grains for their quail (which increases the nutritional content I believe).

 

[Acarter994]

I use chick starter! Everyone suggested the gamebird feed but the price is crazy, and one day at the feed store I decided to put the chick starter bag and gamebird bag next to each other and compare ingredients/analysis...pretty much the same thing!

 

[JetCat]

Check to see if you have a local milling company, it might be worth the drive. for me it's 30 min drive to the mill and at less then 1/2 the price of the Co-Op or TSC it's well worth the drive:

Gamebird Grower 24% is $10.90 for 50# bag
Gamebird Breeder 24% is $10.60 for 50# bag
28% Super Biddy is $11.65 for 50# bag

 

[dc3085]

Almost all turkey starters are acceptable as a complete diet for quail. Just make sure its not medicated.

 

[JetCat]

Almost all turkey starters are acceptable as a complete diet for quail. Just make sure its not medicated.

to each their own on the medicated, but Bacitracin Methylene is recommended for quail and turkey to prevent ulcerative enteritis

 

[dc3085]

Sure it is. For the first couple months. You cannot however consume any meat or eggs from a bird on medicated feed. There is also some evidence that feeding roosters medicated feed for long periods can lead to sterilty. If youll re read what i posted, i said complete diet, meaning it can be fed from birth to death, you cannot do that with medicated feeds safely.

Dont assume by a single sentence that, my entire opinion on medicated feed was contained within.

 

[JetCat]

Sure it is. For the first couple months. You cannot however consume any meat or eggs from a bird on medicated feed.

Maybe if you'll reread what i posted you'll see i said Bacitracin Methylene. so can you please provide where you got your information on withholding and sterility associated with it?