Quail Food

[Cooperthedog]

Hi I have three quail two are coturnix and one is a tuxedo they are five weeks old. I was wondering when to switch them over to adult food and what kind of protein feed to give them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What are you feeding them now?
Quail normally get 28-30% protein for the first 8 weeks.
You can then go to a flight conditioner type feed which is still in the same protein range but is lower in fat.
Don't switch to a low protein feed like game bird maintenance feed till they're mature or about 16 weeks.
To be sure, read the feeding instructions on the feed bag.

 

[Cooperthedog]

I used up the rest of the chick starter that I was feeding them. I also give them dried mealworm treats.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chick starter?
Does that mean they haven't been on a gamebird starter?
Chick starter is about 10% too low in protein for quail.
What was the protein percentage?

 

[Crazydoglady99]

But dried mealworms are very high in protein.. so it should all balance out!

Some people feed 22%, some 28% and others 30%. If you can find a game bird (quail fit into game bird category) feed somewhere in the 25ish % category, and are continuing to feed dried mealworms. They'll be fine!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

True. Depending on how many are being fed.

 

[Cooperthedog]

ok thank you every one.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

This comes highly recommended from a friend. He never takes them off it either. Also I believe it's what JM quail recommends.
https://www.purinamills.com/game-bird-feed/products/detail/purina-game-bird-turkey-startena

 

[Timothy Menezes]

If you can't find that gamebird chow, Dumer has a 24% starter that's for gamebirds. Nutrena has a 22% meatbird crumble that might work. Most pro quail people recommend at least 24%.

 

[Cooperthedog]

ok thank you.