Quail prep

[peafowl_Lover]

Hi, I have some quail eggs in my incubator, can I feed them chick crumb and scrambled egg after they hatch?
Then when they're older what do I give them? Thanks

 

[Nabiki]

They will need a good game bird starter. You're looking for something in the 28-30% protein range. Turkey starter will work.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

 

[CliftonQuail]

Hi, I have some quail eggs in my incubator, can I feed them chick crumb and scrambled egg after they hatch?
Then when they're older what do I give them? Thanks

I'd want to see the nutrition labels before wholeheartedly recommending these feeds, but you might want to look at
https://www.jabashford.ie/game_feeds.aspx
They have a 27.5% starter feed that might be adequate.

I also found https://sprattsgamefood.com/feeding-guide/ which is UK based. I don't know if they sell across the channel. Again, I'd want to see nutrition labels before deciding on the feed, but they have a 26% Pheasant starter crumble that looks interesting.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

They will need a good game bird starter. You're looking for something in the 28-30% protein range. Turkey starter will work.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

I have duck growers for my peafowl but it's only 15% protein. I'll try find labels

 

[peafowl_Lover]

Does this look OK

 

[Nabiki]

Does this look OK View attachment 3951526

This does not look like good feed for quail chicks. The protein is way too low, lysine and methionine are practically non-existent.

Crude protein 9%, Crude fat 2.5%, Crude ash 5.5%, Crude fibre 2.5%, Lysine 0.28%, Methionine 0.19%, Calcium 1.65%, Phosphorus 0.29%, Sodium 0%.

 

[Susan Skylark]

You want something with at least 20 percent protein (up to 30 is better)! You can feed a pelleted feed, just make sure you grind it up for the first couple weeks. Gamebird or turkey starter is usually good, but watch out for amprollium or other coccidiostats, which might have side effects in quail. I fed a game bird starter (30 percent protein) with my first batch and they thrived on it (laying at 5 weeks!) but it was hard to find locally, was twice the price, and had to drive an hour one way to get it. I only raise a handful of chicks so a 50 pound bag would last forever, I ended up just using my layer feed (actually a complete chicken layer feed with 21 percent protein) on a hatch of 4 chicks. The calcium is too high, but since their juvenile life (and life in general) is so short, I don't think it is a major issue. These girls are now 9 weeks old and laying consistently (started at 7 weeks, slower growth on lower protein) with no weird eggs (first batch had 30 percent double yolks and soft shells!). They are healthy and sleek and doing well, just growing a bit slower. I can't recommend it as a strategy for everybody but it fits our little flock just fine.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

Is 35% humidity too low in the incubator?

 

[Nabiki]

Is 35% humidity too low in the incubator?

Not during incubation. You want to raise it at lockdown, though.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

So it is OK till day 14?