LAYING EGGS QUAILS - WHAT FOOD TO GIVE?!?

[vanessamariex]

Okay I am new to this supposedly I been giving my quails THE WRONG FEED. I Have 12 coutornix quail hens all for laying eggs to consume for us. They were on a ''all poultry organic 20%protein feed'' the name brand to be exact

Kalmbach Feeds Organic 20% Protein Starter Grower Crumbles Poultry Feed​

no issues but one of my girls started not being about to walk, (she's getting a LITTLE better, she's now limping) I don't know if it's from an injury or maybe even vitamin deficiency. I been giving them this feed for almost a year!!! which I experienced no issues with the quail consuming this feed, Until I messaged the person I bought them from about her not walking or being about to stand and she asked me what I fed them and sent her a picture and she told me thats for chickens and that they should be on 'GAMEBIRD FEED' with 22-24 % protein. I CAN NOT FIND THAT SPECIFIC PROTEIN ONLINE FOR DELIVERY ANYWHERE ONLY 28% AND REMEMBER THESE QUAIL ARE ALL FEMALES FOR LAYING EGGS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WHAT DO YOU ALL FEED YOUR ADULT FEMALE QUAILS WHO LAY EGGS? I feel so guilty thinking I was feeding them top quality and now I could've effected their long term health with protein too high and not the proper nutrition there specific breed requires. No where near me even sells game bird feed locally and online all I am seeing is ''MEATBIRD'' for the percentage the seller told me Would 28% protein be too high for laying quail hens??? I would prefer organic or atleast NON GMO as well.

 

[GodLovesU]

@Nabiki

 

[Nabiki]

Here is an article that will help you know what to look for in your feed. The 30% protein sounds like it may be a good starter feed, but chicks have different requirements than adults.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

 

[muddy75]

Okay I am new to this supposedly I been giving my quails THE WRONG FEED. I Have 12 coutornix quail hens all for laying eggs to consume for us. They were on a ''all poultry organic 20%protein feed'' the name brand to be exact

Kalmbach Feeds Organic 20% Protein Starter Grower Crumbles Poultry Feed​

no issues but one of my girls started not being about to walk, (she's getting a LITTLE better, she's now limping) I don't know if it's from an injury or maybe even vitamin deficiency. I been giving them this feed for almost a year!!! which I experienced no issues with the quail consuming this feed, Until I messaged the person I bought them from about her not walking or being about to stand and she asked me what I fed them and sent her a picture and she told me thats for chickens and that they should be on 'GAMEBIRD FEED' with 22-24 % protein. I CAN NOT FIND THAT SPECIFIC PROTEIN ONLINE FOR DELIVERY ANYWHERE ONLY 28% AND REMEMBER THESE QUAIL ARE ALL FEMALES FOR LAYING EGGS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WHAT DO YOU ALL FEED YOUR ADULT FEMALE QUAILS WHO LAY EGGS? I feel so guilty thinking I was feeding them top quality and now I could've effected their long term health with protein too high and not the proper nutrition there specific breed requires. No where near me even sells game bird feed locally and online all I am seeing is ''MEATBIRD'' for the percentage the seller told me Would 28% protein be too high for laying quail hens??? I would prefer organic or atleast NON GMO as well.

If you’re already feeding kalmbach, you can change to flockmaker. It will be better for your adult hens.

 

[vanessamariex]

If you’re already feeding kalmbach, you can change to flockmaker. It will be better for your adult hens.

what is flockmaker feed for?? is that okay for quail? I thought that was only for chickens..

 

[muddy75]

what is flockmaker feed for?? is that okay for quail? I thought that was only for chickens..

Flockmaker is kalmbach’s all-flock crumbles

 

[vanessamariex]

what is flockmaker feed for?? is that okay for quail? I thought that was only for chickens..

If you’re already feeding kalmbach, you can change to flockmaker. It will be better for your adult hens.

This would not work As I just looked it up in the description It says '' for starting and growing game birds up to laying age—ideal for mixed flocks '' they are over a year old my girls....

 

[Nabiki]

what is flockmaker feed for?? is that okay for quail? I thought that was only for chickens..

Don't worry too much about what the feed is called. Look for protein, lysine, methionine, fat, and calcium percentage. You will probably need to offer oyster shell or egg shell on the side since you're not likely to find a layer feed with the other nutrition that you need.

 

[vanessamariex]

Don't worry too much about what the feed is called. Look for protein, lysine, methionine, fat, and calcium percentage. You will probably need to offer oyster shell or egg shell on the side since you're not likely to find a layer feed with the other nutrition that you need.

How about

Kalmbach 20% Flock maker feed? Would this be sufficient since they are adult female layers and then just add the oyster shell? Or is that only for young chicks.​

 

[vanessamariex]

Don't worry too much about what the feed is called. Look for protein, lysine, methionine, fat, and calcium percentage. You will probably need to offer oyster shell or egg shell on the side since you're not likely to find a layer feed with the other nutrition that you need.

How about

Kalmbach 20% Flock maker feed? Would this be sufficient since they are adult female layers and then just add the oyster shell? Or is that only for young chicks.​