What to feed Coturnix quail chicks?

[besorto]

Hello BYC community!

I'm in a bit of a pinch right now. A friend of mine got me some quail chicks, and I have no idea what to feed them! I read online that game bird/turkery starter is good, but I won't be able to get any of that until next week. I only have regular (non medicated) chicken starter for a mama hen outside. Would that work for a while? What could I supplement them with? Thanks!

 

[feedman77]

They need high protein if possible. I feed mine 28 percent game bird starter.

Since you couldn't get any of that you might want to look at meatbird starter. Its usually 22 to 24 percent protein.

I have used it in a pinch

 

[Hope Hughes]

TSC also carrys a 24% for quail and other chicks ggat need a higher protein. I use that when i cant get tge Game bird feed. You can also order in the game bird feed from purina from them.
https://www.purinamills.com/game-bird-feed/products/detail/purina-game-bird-turkey-startena
Here is tgeir site to search tge area you are in. And thst way you know what they have. Tney have different ones for different stages.
Hope this helps​

 

[cottontail farm]

Good advice above. Get the highest protein non medicated crumble you can, in a pinch you can use chick starter until you can find something better.
The babies won't be able to eat whole crumbs for the first couple of days so you can give it a whirl in the food processor/blender or just crush it in a baggie with something heavy. They are so cute at this stage! Enjoy!
P.s. I've found that soda/beer caps make perfectly safe waterers for the first couple of days too.

 

[cottontail farm]

Oh, also if you are really worried about it I was told by a breeder that you can "salt" the crumble with powered fish food to boost the protien. She also said NOT to use cat/dog food because the fat content is too high, but fish is perfect.

 

[Athena2344]

So what do you recommend for full grown quail? Should i feed a mixture of gamebird and layer?

 

[feedman77]

Feed mine 27 gamebird from hatch til death

 

[Athena2344]

I got a trio of Texas A&M saturday, and they have been on gamebird since then, but i will need to get layer for my chicks soon, and i was wondering if i should give them a mix of it

 

[lomine]

I feed mine gambird/showbird (26%) feed for life. For calcium they get crushed egg shells offered free choice. That way only those that need it get it.

 

[Athena2344]

That makes sense, i already have oyster shell