Quail Q's

[britbaskin]

Howdy,

Contemplating buying about 100 Coturnix Jumbo quails...but I have a few questions before I jump into it...and these are questions that I haven't found answers to. And I've read thru alot of AWESOME topics. I love this place. Thanks to anyone and everyone who replies to this.

First, would they be ok in 21% organic chick starter?? Or do yall know of an affordable organic feed? I only feed organic to my other poultry. I can also offer them worms for added protein and can allow them to free range in chicken tractors if yall think this is a wise idea.

Second, who should I buy them from?? I am in Texas, about an hour from Houston. So I need someone who will ship. Any recommended hatcheries?

Third, is 12 weeks the best overall time to butcher them?

That's all my questions for now. Thanks!


~Brit~

 

[shelleyd2008]

The 21% feed would be fine if you supplement them with extra protein.

I haven't gotten any from hatcheries, so no help there

They would absolutely love being in a tractor, but if you plan on eating them, it's not such a good idea. Being on the ground exposes them to parasites, and you would need to worm them. Since they reach processing size so early, it really doesn't make sense to have them on the ground. If you don't plan on eating them, by all means, put them in a tractor!

At 12 weeks they are full grown. If you butcher them before that, you would miss out on the extra few ounces they would put on. You can process them anytime, some people do so after the hens slack off on laying, or with extra roos they have.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
nada to add to this

 

[KattyKillFish]

shelleyd2008 summed it up pretty well. to supplement protien you can buy some freeze dired crickets or meal worms from a pet shop. (the kind they give to reptiles)

grind the bugs up really well and mix it with the starter you'll be giving them.
coturnix grow fast and they like to fly! i love mine sooo much!

 

[britbaskin]

Yall are great! I will be raising them for meat so the tractor info just saved me alot of grief. In their pens they will stay.

If yall come across anyone, either breeders or hatcheries, that yall think sell good coturnix jumbo quail for a fair price please let me know. Thanks again! Yall helped me a bunch!


~Brit~