Quail Feeding

[KRFlashner]

Ok, so we're at Day 12 and it's almost lockdown. Now that the fall garden is winding down and the intial few months is set up for the little fluffies (Yes my 3 year old has decided that's what we will call them when they hatch) I've been thinking about long term plans. I've been reading about the different options with feed. Our local feed store doesn't stock game bird feed (which I'm told is the best option). Turkey starter is a seasonal thing but can be ordered at a little more cost. Since we've decided to build a fully enclosed hutch area on grass behind our compost pile (both for easy cleaning and the added bugs they will have access to sharing a hardware cloth wall with the compost) one of the local old timers said he feeds 22% Protein/3% calcium broiler starter mix from the local grain elevator (not that I'm 100% sure what a grain elevator is but it's been recommended as the cheapest place to pick up feed). Hubby liked the cost of the broiler and I liked the soaked feed because it uses less feed so less expensive but I'm curious how you BTDT quail owners feed your birds.

Just a bit about our planned set up: Our guys have a fixed hutch area but additionally will have a few hours each day in a retired livestock crate that I got from a local farmer. Because it was for larger animals I'll cover it with hardware cloth so the little guys are protected.

The local guys say that because they'll have access to bugs and things in the grass they will be ok with the lower protein of 22% rather than the recommended 24%. Our quail were mainly purchased as an egg source so we're not concerned about them growing out quickly or anything but want them to be healthy and produce eggs.

 

[007Sean]

If that's all you can find or get, then 22% protein will work but they won't grow as fast, 24% is best for raising quail. Also be sure the required essential vitamins and minerals have been added to the feed.
I doubt seriously there will be enough bugs available to boost their protein intake. Wild birds have to travel great distances to find enough to sustain themselves.
If all your looking to get from them is their eggs to eat, then 22% will work. If you plan on hatching eggs from them, then it could become a problem. The higher protein feed transfers to the better health of breeder birds, which in turn contributes to better quality of the embryo in the eggs.

 

[KRFlashner]

If that's all you can find or get, then 22% protein will work but they won't grow as fast, 24% is best for raising quail. Also be sure the required essential vitamins and minerals have been added to the feed.
I doubt seriously there will be enough bugs available to boost their protein intake. Wild birds have to travel great distances to find enough to sustain themselves.
If all your looking to get from them is their eggs to eat, then 22% will work. If you plan on hatching eggs from them, then it could become a problem. The higher protein feed transfers to the better health of breeder birds, which in turn contributes to better quality of the embryo in the eggs.

So I'm looking into how much the mill will charge for a custom order. If I could change the mix or would it be possible to add something to the mix to make it higher in protein? I feel like I'm back in chemistry class. The extension office has someone who is an analyst for animal feed but I don't know if she will be able to meet with me before I need to decide in a few months. We definitely want better quality embryos because after reading more posts here I'm kind of fascinated with the possibilities in coloring and egg size.

 

[007Sean]

Yeah, pretty sure the mill will work with you. I have my feed custom milled, cost is a little more than buying a commercial made feed but for me it's worth every penny.

 

[Erkenstein]

I use gamebird starter for the first 8 weeks and then move to a local milled 21% that has 2% calcium. I'd go with a bag of turkey starter and then switch over to the milled stuff once they've finished it off. Make sure the gradually transition them to the new feed: 1/3 new, then 2/3 new, then all new over a couple of weeks.

If they are willing to work with you to up the protein, they will probably add fish meal or soy meal to the mix.

3% seems a bit high calcium for hatchlings in my opinion, so that's another reason to consider the turkey starter.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Purina Game Bird Startena isn’t available there? Strange, I see Purina brand feed everywhere. I just use that with oyster shell but was thinking of trying the game bird layer.

https://www.purinamills.com/game-bird-feed/products/detail/purina-game-bird-turkey-startena

https://www.purinamills.com/game-bird-feed/products/detail/purina-game-bird-layena-etts

 

[Derrin]

I have loved in remote areas where some fees are not readily available. So not a surprise to me. However I have found that is one feed store does not want to order your feed another will. Have fun! I enjoy raising quail. I hope you have half the fun I am having.

 

[Fishkeeper]

You can feed them scrambled eggs or dried mealworms to up the protein content.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Eggs are a balanced food and are only 15percent protein. Meal worm are good but expensive, turkey starter, soy, cat food, and fish food kibbles are high in protein. Not the pet fish food, the big bags of fish feed at the feed store for catfish farms, trout, bass, that sort of thing.