What effect does LED lighting have on quail and other poultry?

[CovidtimeQuail]

Initially, I thought it was the gamebird starter. Then, I thought it might have been the 100 watt incandescent reptile light that caused my birds to mature faster and grow bigger. Now, I'm wondering if it is the red (and later added, white) LED lights that have an effect on their growth. Here is a picture of my 2-week old quail.

They're huge. They've completely feathered out, all of them. I did two things differently this hatching. One was switching out the chicken starter crumble for gamebird starter, and the second was lighting.

Tell me, for those using gamebird starter, is this a normal size for 2-week old quail?

 

[Nabiki]

Yes, better diet means they grow bigger and faster.

 

[caitbait]

My quail are huge at 2 weeks too! Also on a 30% gamebird starter.

For kicks, here's a 2 week quail vs 5 week Serama taken on the same day.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

It’s definitely the gamebird starter! I weighed my last tiny hatch of 3 every evening, on 30% protein they truly grow like weeds. Plus I was giving them a lot of live insects.

 

[Quailobsessed]

As long as the quail are happy and healthy, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

Yes, better diet means they grow bigger and faster. View attachment 2582731

Okay, then I won't worry that I'm doing anything too extreme. They sure look huge though. I'm going to have to move them out several weeks before I planned to.

 

[Ravenlover]

It also greatly enhance's there colors makes the darks darker and the brights brighter

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

I can't deny that good gamebird starter is a big component. I'm just wondering if lighting plays a part too. They're ridiculously large, nearly the size of what my first hatch was at 5 weeks. Strangely enough, they're really mellow too. That might be the red light, which I've only recently started using.

Anyhow, although they're only 2 weeks old, I'm turning off the light at night. I'm a little worried this is too much growth.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

. . .
For kicks, here's a 2 week quail vs 5 week Serama taken on the same day. . .

That is a striking difference in size.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

I can't deny that good gamebird starter is a big component. I'm just wondering if lighting plays a part too. They're ridiculously large, nearly the size of what my first hatch was at 5 weeks. Strangely enough, they're really mellow too. That might be the red light, which I've only recently started using.

Anyhow, although they're only 2 weeks old, I'm turning off the light at night. I'm a little worried this is too much growth.

The light also keeps them awake at night, perhaps? They still seem to sleep frequently but spend more time not in the dark, able to see their food and eat it.