Still searching for adequate protein Quail crumbles

[YWoody]

I'm still on the search for decent crumble feed for my Coturnix quail... They get free access to calcium (ground eggshells) daily & since implementing this; no more egg bound crisis!


I cant find non GMO feed that has enough protein! They are doing so much better on the increased protein, however, I'm soooo tired of grinding up dry cat food to boost the protein!

I found this non GMO Turkey crumble that has 28% protein (see attached photo) can you guys advise me if this is going to be appropriate for my 2 year old quail; if it's too much protein, perhaps I could mix it 50/50 with the 16% protein All Flock crumbles? Any feedback from you helpful folks would be appreciated. I'm tagging you folks that have helped me so tremendously in the past...
@Nabiki @007Sean @CliftonQuail

Thank you!!

 

[Nabiki]

The turkey crumble is too high for your adults, but mixing it would probably work. You want around 20-24% protein.

 

[CliftonQuail]

I agree with @Nabiki that 28% is too high for your adult birds and mixing with the 16% All Flock would probably work.

I see that Kalmbach also has a non-GMO 20% Flock Maker Crumble that I suspect would be adequate if its lysine was higher.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS​

• Crude Protein (Min.)20.00%
• Lysine (Min.)1.10%
• Methionine (Min.)0.55%
• Crude Fat (Min.)2.00%
• Crude Fiber (Max.)5.00%
• Calcium (Ca) (Min.)0.80%
• Calcium (Ca) (Max.)1.30%
• Phosphorus (P) (Min.)0.65%
• Salt (NaCl) (Min.)0.20%
• Salt (NaCl) (Max.)0.70%
• Vitamin A (Min.)8,000 IU/lb
• Vitamin D (Min.)2,000 IU/lb
• Vitamin E (Min.)30 IU/lb
• Niacin (Min.)45 mg/lb

Kalmbach also has a 22% Start-to-Finish non-GMO Meat bird that might work, but its lysine is low and Methionine is, too.:

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS​

• Crude Protein (Min.)22.00%
• Lysine (Min.)1.20%
• Methionine (Min.)0.50%
• Crude Fat (Min.)2.00%
• Crude Fiber (Max.)4.00%
• Calcium (Ca) (Min.)0.75%
• Calcium (Ca) (Max.)1.25%
• Phosphorus (P) (Min.)0.60%
• Salt (NaCl) (Min.)0.20%
• Salt (NaCl) (Max.)0.70%

 

[007Sean]

Both @Nabiki and @CliftonQuail correct.
Since feed manufactures have been cutting back on their ingredients that they put into their feeds, it's gotten harder to find feeds that have adequate vitamins and minerals in their feeds. The same can be said for the protein as well....most have gone to either corn and molasses or soybean meal as their main sources of protein. I would hate to have to relie on what's available at TSC, Menards, and other retailers

The 22% protein that Kalmbach offers would be better than their 20% or the 28% Turkey crumble. Lysine and cystine are harder to supplement but Methinonine can be supplement with sunflower seeds to some extent.

As many of you know I have my feed custom milled, so I can add whatever percentages of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids I would like to to my feed. Yeah, way more expensive than buying 'off the shelf' feed. Not everyone can do this...it's also a 2hour drive for me to go pick it up, because they don't deliver anymore....they use too! Then you also have to have room to store a ton of feed. Not very economical for most hobbiests....and it's not economical for me either but I feel it's the best thing for my birds.

I would probable just go with the 22% protein, at least for my adult birds. The 28% would be good for hatchlings, up until they are 8 to 10 weeks old, then I would switch over to the 22%.
I feed mine 24% from hatch til death. Have never had any problems with their growth or development.

 

[Mill Chick]

You might be able to use Flock raiser? It has 20% protein. You would have to supplement with oyster shells though.

 

[YWoody]

Thank you very much @Nabiki & @CliftonQuail for your input. I'm likely going to get the 28% Turkey Formula & mix it to achieve the 20-22% protein they need. Unless either of you can suggest an easy way to supplement the Lysine.

 

[Nabiki]

This is for humans, but they do list some foods that are rich in lysine that could be used for quail.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-lysine

 

[YWoody]

Thank you for all that info @007Sean you are so right; the commercial stuff that is available is mostly corn & soybeans and not enough nutrition; not to mention, typically GMO . I love that you do that for your birds! You should consider bagging & selling some of your custom feed to some of us hobbyists; many of us would pay a premium price to get some good food for our tiny flocks & it might end up covering some of the expense you incur. Just a thought.
I'm curious, how many quail do you have?

 

[YWoody]

Well a 1:1 mix of the 28% crumbles & the 16% crumbles gives me the 22% protein I need... but the Lysine is 1.19% and Methionine only 0.45%

 

[Nabiki]

Sounds like the occasional treat of sunflower seeds and beans/peas might be in order.