Quails

[Dave31842]

I have had 4 pair button quail for about 3 weeks at about 7 weeks old. I started them on Purina Game Bird Chow Turkey, Quail, Pheasant starter. It is 30 % protein and Purina told me that I could feed this to them for ever which will work well for laying . It cost me about $17.00 for a 50 LB bag. I have each of my 2 pair in separate cages. They seem happy and relaxed.
Dave

 

[Shark Akhrrana]

Shark that's a coturnix quail, (3 weeks old?). The colouring is called tuxedo, but usually tuxedo is black on top and white on bottom, yours is wild on top/white on bottom.

You should feed it at least 20% feed. I can't tell if it's male or female.Try to keep it on non-slip flooring, anything that will allow it to walk naturally.

It's a nice looking bird

Thanks! Good to know.now I can look up what sounds they make.

When Finnisher says 20% feed, he? means 20 % protein. I'd go higher than that though, at least for a quail that is still growing - aim for something around 25% protein. 24-30 % should be okay. Look for gamebird and turkey starters, that's usually the only feed with that much protein. Quail also do best with other quail, so I'd get your little one some friends, but they can be very territorial so you can't just throw it in with quail it doesn't know, they need to get used to each other, living beside each other for a while. You probably won't be able to sex this one before it's 6-8 weeks old, and then you'll need to vent sex (search the forum to see how) it because of its color. They should be kept together all females or 1 male and 4-8 females.

I'm thinking of getting a few more. They are going to be at the bottom of the aviary. I don't want them outside. My dad wants them to eat all the millet the love birds on the top of the aviary are dropping. But I think I should still give him the Protein feed especially since its a baby.

 

[Finnisher]

Yea 20% protein in the feed... sorry. That's the minimum, you can go to 30% no problem, but 30% is usually for meat birds, for pets 24% sounds good.

 

[DK newbie]

I have button quail in my budgie aviary and they eat the millet that falls down, but I feed them a 24 % protein game bird starter in their own bowl as well. And crushed oyster shell for calcium.

 

[Shark Akhrrana]

The feed store is closed so I'll go buy the food and the two other quails on Monday.

 

[Dave31842]

I said that I had 4 pair, whit I really mean is 2 pair. Sorry for the misleading info. Thanks for all the good info. I would like to keep them on a good diet so I don't mind spending a little extra.
Dave

 

[Shark Akhrrana]

Here is thr baby in the Aviary. Has food and watet for em.

 

[DK newbie]

Is it warm enough for him out there? He doesn't seem to be fully feathered yet, so he might still require additional heat.

 

[Shark Akhrrana]

Maybe i'll bring him to my room untill its time.
Im getting more quails today so he wont be lonesome

 

[Dave31842]

Sure has nice colors and is really cute. Would probably enjoy some company.
Dave