questions on what i can feed my 4 week old quail chicks

[therandomhatcher]

I noticed many grasshoppers in my backyard. I was wondering if any were poisonous to quail or chickens. Especially the green ones. And are earthworms okay to feed them, too?

 

[shrimpsilkies]

They will eat almost any insect, but grasshoppers and earthworms can be too big for them to swallow. They shouldn’t eat too many at once. They can also contain parasites or pesticides. Insects are a great addition to a quail’s diet but be prepared for problems if you do decide to feed them.

 

[FloorCandy]

They will eat almost any insect, but grasshoppers and earthworms can be too big for them to swallow. They shouldn’t eat too many at once. They can also contain parasites or pesticides. Insects are a great addition to a quail’s diet but be prepared for problems if you do decide to feed them.

I don’t really collect bugs for mine, but they catch any that are in the pen, and I find size isn’t an issue because once one gets it, if it won’t go down, the instinct is to peck it on the ground into smaller parts, or grab it and run, then the others pull off legs and chunks, trying to get a piece as they run. Eventually the first one who couldn’t get it down, is left only with what wasn’t hanging out of their mouth, the rest has been pruned off by jealous roommates. Ive seen them eat huge spiders, grasshoppers and crickets that certainly can’t be swallowed in one piece in this manner.

 

[Nabiki]

I don’t really collect bugs for mine, but they catch any that are in the pen, and I find size isn’t an issue because once one gets it, if it won’t go down, the instinct is to peck it on the ground into smaller parts, or grab it and run, then the others pull off legs and chunks, trying to get a piece as they run. Eventually the first one who couldn’t get it down, is left only with what wasn’t hanging out of their mouth, the rest has been pruned off by jealous roommates. Ive seen them eat huge spiders, grasshoppers and crickets that certainly can’t be swallowed in one piece in this manner.

That sounds about like my experience. They're a great treat, but treats shouldn't be more than 10% of their diet.

I have been known to throw bugs from my garden into the quail pens.

 

[FloorCandy]

That sounds about like my experience. They're a great treat, but treats shouldn't be more than 10% of their diet.

I have been known to throw bugs from my garden into the quail pens.

I do the same, if I’m working in the yard or garden and something crosses my path I’ll often toss it in the pen to watch the excitement. I have a solar walkway light in each pen that attracts bugs for a few hours every night, but for the most part, bug acquisition is quail work not human work lol.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

I don’t really collect bugs for mine, but they catch any that are in the pen, and I find size isn’t an issue because once one gets it, if it won’t go down, the instinct is to peck it on the ground into smaller parts, or grab it and run, then the others pull off legs and chunks, trying to get a piece as they run. Eventually the first one who couldn’t get it down, is left only with what wasn’t hanging out of their mouth, the rest has been pruned off by jealous roommates. Ive seen them eat huge spiders, grasshoppers and crickets that certainly can’t be swallowed in one piece in this manner.

I raise several species of roaches and mealworms for mine and while I do see them break up larger bugs my jumbo hen is a glutton and she just swallows everything whole, so I guess I’m overcareful because of her. Was weird to feel bugs moving around in her crop though.

 

[therandomhatcher]

thank you all for the info

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

I don’t really collect bugs for mine, but they catch any that are in the pen, and I find size isn’t an issue because once one gets it, if it won’t go down, the instinct is to peck it on the ground into smaller parts, or grab it and run, then the others pull off legs and chunks, trying to get a piece as they run. Eventually the first one who couldn’t get it down, is left only with what wasn’t hanging out of their mouth, the rest has been pruned off by jealous roommates. Ive seen them eat huge spiders, grasshoppers and crickets that certainly can’t be swallowed in one piece in this manner.

I've seen my greediest hen swallow a giant cockroach all by herself because didn't want to share. She just kept turning around and facing the wall so the other birds couldn't grab a piece.

Speaking of throwing bugs into the pen, if I find a grub while gardening, it goes to the birds. Nothing goes to waste. I wouldn't worry about what they find in nature, unless you live near a neighbor that uses pesticide or other non-natural substances.

 

[Pandaisy]

Quail will try to eat anything. Some time ago, a baby mouse fell into the aviary and I witnessed one hen smashing the poor thing around, trying to eat it. Thankfully I was able to save it.

 

[FloorCandy]

Quail will try to eat anything. Some time ago, a baby mouse fell into the aviary and I witnessed one hen smashing the poor thing around, trying to eat it. Thankfully I was able to save it.

They can be mean little raptors!