Protein % for Coturnix Chicks

[Picco]

What is the ideal level of protein to feed to coturnix chicks? Locally I have game bird and turkey starter available. The game bird is 22% protein and the turkey is 28% and medicated.

 

[crash0330]

They need a high protein feed usually turkey starter is the best. But it shouldn't be medicated.

 

[bfrancis]

Do not give medicated...I was told that will kill your quail. I've never tried; but am not going to experiment either. Purina Flock Raiser is a good choice for your chicks; 20% protein and when they get older 5-6 weeks add scratch grains for a mix.

 

[Teach97]

I have fed medicated to quail with no ill effects.

the higher the protein the better

 

[ranit]

I would also go with the higher protein. I use Purina Gamebird Startena which is 28% protein and medicated with BMD to avoid quail disease. Never had any problems with the medicated feed.

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

I'm with ranit on this one. We also use Purina Gamebird Starteena which is medicated and have had no ill effects and healthy Quail.

David

 

[FeatheredObsessions]

There have been a number of studies world wide since the coturnix quail have such a high "turn over" and most that I've seen conclude 22-23.5% gave better food use, growth, egg size.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
I am just curious who sells this ours down here is not medicated Purina Gamebird Starteena that is .tia

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

We get ours at a smaller local Feed Store in Louisa, Va. I've never seen it at TSC or SS.
It is in the same brown color bag but has a red lettered tag rather than black letter tag.

David

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
MEDICATED WILL NOT KILL YOUR CHICKS, FLOCK RAISER IS HORRIBLE AND TOO LOW IN PROTIEN AND EVERYTHING ELSE THEY NEED AND LIKE MOST CHICKEN FORMULAS MAY CAUSE EITHER DIARRHEA OR CONSTIPATION= BOTH CAN KILL QUAIL EASILY, AND SCRATCH IS 10% PROTIEN IN MOST CASES AND EVEN LESS THAN WHAT THEY NEED. 22% PROTIEN IS AN ADULT MAINTENANCE FORMULA, NOT A CHICK STARTER OF ANY VALUE ( IF THIS IS THEIR GAMEBIRD STARTER SWITCH FEED COMPANIES!) TURKEY WILL WORK IF NECESSARY AND IS CLOSER TO GAMEBIRD STARTER THAN MOST OTHER SUBSTITUES. LOOK AT THE PURINA WEBSITE THEY HAVE A DEALER LOCATOR OPTION THAT MAY BE ABLE TO STEER YOU TOWARD A SOURCE FOR REAL GAMEBIRD STARTER, YOU CAN ALSO CHECK NUTRENA AND CENTRAL STATES AND SEE IF THEY SHOW DEALERS IN YOUR AREA. IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST PLAY MAD SCIENTIST AND COOK UP YOUR OWN USE A GOOD GAMEBIRD MAINTENANCE FORMULA AND MIX IT 75% GBMF WITH 25% SOYBEAN MEAL. PERSONALLY ITS MUCH EASIER AND USUALLY CHEAPER TO BUY PREMADE FORMULA IF YOU CAN GET IT... SHOP AROUND AND IF NECESSARY ASK IF THEY CAN ORDER IT FOR YOU, MANY WILL UPON REQUEST