Quail chick starter

[SuperiorV]

Hi guys so I’m hatching for the first time, I have had 2 button/king quail chicks hatch in the last 24 hours, I have ordered game bird starter feed, express shipping over 10 days ago but it is stuck in a depot in my state somewhere, I’ve got some chick starter feed and have ground it up and added ground dried mealworm(55% protein), would this be sufficient protein intake for the next 24/36 hours until I can make the drive to pick up some game bird starter, as the shops are shut for the Easter weekend, if not what high protein food would you supplement into their diet?

Thanks in advance for any advise or suggestions

Added: Does anyone from Australia know of any restrictions on the shipping of bird feed? No suppliers willship to my state(WA), the only place that will is in WA but 2 hours drive away, this is where I ordered it shipped from and will have to go pick up another bag from on Saturday morning.

 

[Nabiki]

Thanks, have done. They’re eating and drinking fine. I have 7 now, 6 are fine but 1 seems to be limping on one of his legs, his legs aren’t splayed they’re straight, he’s just cautious to put the other leg down with moving, any ideas on what’s happened and how I can treat the little fella?

Pictures? Check to make sure there isn't a hair or something wrapped around the leg. If you can upload a video to YouTube and post a link here, that would be even better.

If it's a minor injury, you will probably see your chick improve within a day.

 

[Nabiki]

That leg looks deformed. If it's a pet, it might live a reasonable life, but if it's livestock, I would cull. I expect that it will end up walking on the joint of that leg rather than the foot which might cause issues down the line.

 

[Nabiki]

Would there be any issues with the other chicks singling it out or bullying it as they get older? They have a large brooder, 90cmx70cm and lots of hiding spots

It depends on the dispositions of the other chicks. As long as this one can run around, eat, and drink, the others probably won't bother it much. I wouldn't give newly hatched chicks hiding places. They are very good at finding creative ways to die.

 

[Nabiki]

I would candle the remaining eggs. You should be able to tell which ones are still alive.

If you don't want to candle, I would pull the plug at the end of day 20.

 

[Kiki]

I would feed the chick starter feed only for a day or two and not add mealworms.

 

[Kiki]

Thanks, how come? Would the mealworm hinder them in any way?

Probably not if you only feed them for a day or two. The chick feed is just more balanced.

 

[007Sean]

Hi guys so I’m hatching for the first time, I have had 2 button/king quail chicks hatch in the last 24 hours, I have ordered game bird starter feed, express shipping over 10 days ago but it is stuck in a depot in my state somewhere, I’ve got some chick starter feed and have ground it up and added ground dried mealworm(55% protein), would this be sufficient protein intake for the next 24/36 hours until I can make the drive to pick up some game bird starter, as the shops are shut for the Easter weekend, if not what high protein food would you supplement into their diet?

Thanks in advance for any advise or suggestions

Added: Does anyone from Australia know of any restrictions on the shipping of bird feed? No suppliers willship to my state(WA), the only place that will is in WA but 2 hours drive away, this is where I ordered it shipped from and will have to go pick up another bag from on Saturday morning.

What is the percent protein on the chick starter?

 

[007Sean]

19.5%

that's pretty low for a starter feed, most starter feeds are 20 to 22% protein....anyhow, if your just going to use it in this emergency, it will be ok to use for a couple of days, until you can get some gamebird feed of at least 24% protein.

 

[007Sean]

Roger that, any tips on ensuring they’re eating properly, I’ve scattered feed in the incubator but the first is now about 30 hours old so in about 8 hours ill move him and any other dried out chicks into the brooder. I know I need to direct them to the feed so they know where the food source is. Any other tips?

Put some paper towels down and sprinkle the crushed up feed all over it, that way where ever they peck they find food, also put a shallow saucer with feed on it, that way they will catch on pretty quickly where the feeder is too!