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Tolkienfanatic03

Tolkienfanatic03

Songster
Aug 3, 2022
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1,090
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Arizona
Hi everyone i just signed up for byc. I am going to get jumbo coturnix quail chicks in a few days and I was wondering if anybody had any tips on raising them. Also could I just feed them crushed up chicken food and mealworms? Do the chicks have to have some special food? And how long do the chicks have to have a heat lamp on for? Is there a way to tell the female and male chicks apart? I only want to get like two males. Thanks!
 
Howdy, :frow and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy :ya to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

You will want to provide them a complete and balanced gamebird ration of 24% protein. Chicken feed usually doesn't have the right amount of protein or the essential minerals and vitamins that gamebird feeds contain.

Mealworms would be considered a 'treat' and as such should not be more than 10% of their dietary intake. Chicks can be raised on 30% protein feed until they reach adulthood but that amount of protein isn't necessary....24% is adequate.
A heat lamp if used as a source of warmth, should be regulated in the brooder at 90 to 95°F for the 1st week after hatching, this temp should be taken at floor of the brooder, you will need a warm end and a cool end to your brooder. The temperature should be decreased by 5°F/week, until ambient temperatures are 70°F or the chicks have become fully feathered.

As far as being able to tell sex...male's will have rusty reddish color feathers on their breast, female's will have black/ dark brown spots on their breast feathers, if you can't tell, then wait until they either crow or lay eggs. Also, you can vent sex them. A good ratio of 1 male to 4-5 females is usually recommended. HTH

Thanks for joining our community! :celebrate
 
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