High Protein Feed in the UK?

[CuriousCreature]

Hey there,

I was hoping people could recommend some high protein (20%-30%) food brands suitable for quails that can be ordered online in the UK. My buttons are currently on Heygates game feed pellets, but despite being made specifically for quails and similar birds, it's only 17% protein. I do supplement their diet with finch seed and a few mealworms and crickets, but I want to cut back on these treats as I fear the quails are becoming reliant on them and ignoring the pellets. As my hens are now laying I would like to wean them on to a higher protein feed as soon as possible.

The most suitable thing I've found so far is Bearts Chick Starter Crumb, which is 19.5% protein. Garvo does a chick starter mix containing seeds and shrimps that's 25% protein, but the problem with these mixes is that my quails just pick out the tasty bits and leave the pellets. I really want a feed that's purely mini-pellets or crumb. I'm aware that a lot of people favour turkey feed, but I've yet to find some that's both non-medicated and in anything less than a 20kg sack!

As always, thank you in advance for your help.

 

[kingmt]

I don't see it in less then 40lbs~20kg here in the USA ether. Could there be anyone that you could group buy with if this is to much at once? Another option might be to repackage it & maybe vacuum seal it if you have humidity issues. I have humidity issues myself & lose a good bit of feed to it.

 

[DK newbie]

I found my quail food in the local feed store. They have 3 types of game bird food, one for grown birds with a protein content of 19-ish percent and 2 intended for chicks. They only had one of the chick types when I was there, so I don't know how much protein is in the other type, but the one I got had 25%. It was in a 15 kg bag, so slightly smaller than what you can find, but it still takes quite a while for my buttons to eat it (as in 10 months or so, judged by how far they've gotten now). However, it is stored in an old (not working) freezer. I find this a great way to store any kind of dry feed you want to remain dry. I have never had a problem with anything dry going bad if it is stored in there, so if you have the room for it, I suggest you get an old freezer to store your feed in, then the 20 kg bag might not be a problem.

 

[CuriousCreature]

I don't see it in less then 40lbs~20kg here in the USA ether. Could there be anyone that you could group buy with if this is to much at once? Another option might be to repackage it & maybe vacuum seal it if you have humidity issues. I have humidity issues myself & lose a good bit of feed to it.

I don't know anyone else who keeps quail, at least not yet. But the Heygates pellets came in two 5kg bags so I've been repackaging it into ziplock bags and it's been keeping fine so far.

I found my quail food in the local feed store. They have 3 types of game bird food, one for grown birds with a protein content of 19-ish percent and 2 intended for chicks. They only had one of the chick types when I was there, so I don't know how much protein is in the other type, but the one I got had 25%. It was in a 15 kg bag, so slightly smaller than what you can find, but it still takes quite a while for my buttons to eat it (as in 10 months or so, judged by how far they've gotten now). However, it is stored in an old (not working) freezer. I find this a great way to store any kind of dry feed you want to remain dry. I have never had a problem with anything dry going bad if it is stored in there, so if you have the room for it, I suggest you get an old freezer to store your feed in, then the 20 kg bag might not be a problem.

I have two local pet stores but both of them only have chicken feeds unfortunately. With that said I think their chick crumb is a little bit higher in protein that what I have currently so that's a good back-up if nothing else. Using an old freezer box is a good idea.

I think I may have answered my own question again though. After posting this topic I discovered Bearts Turkey Starter Crumb for sale in small bags on eBay. I messaged the seller about it and she told me it's 27% protein and non-medicated, which is perfect. So I'm going to buy a 300g bag of that and see if the quails like it. I'll post the link as this topic may be of use to other British quail keepers: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bearts-St...Hatching-Poultry-300g-500g-1-kg-/310919703292

 

[johnny van]

http://www.animalfeedstore.com/Small-Holder-Range/Turkey-Starter-Crumbs.aspx
22% protein
no medication
20kg

Maybe you could sell the excess of a 20kg bag on ebay.. it seems to be a lively market for poultry food and I buy my other chicken feeds there at good prices normally.
Depending on how much you need of a 20kg sack you could sell on 2 or 3 5kg lots and possibly cover the cost of the amount you keep.
hope this helps