UK high protein Quail feed

[SteveUK]

While browsing through the threads it's very apparent that UK quail keepers have difficulty finding readily available feed with a high enough protein content.

To help newbies. I thought I'd post the best (readily available) option I have come across.
It is a Turkey starter (also recommend by the manufacturer for game). Protein is @22%. Now I realise that this is not quite high enough (for growers), but it's probably as close as you can get (again, readily available) and close enough to boost. It is also very good quality. No medication /no growth promoters/no GM/Natural additives.

(Unfortunately it is only available seasonally). Buy enough to see you through the winter months. (Alternatively they do a year round Turkey grower @19%protein).

You won't find it in your local pet shop. They may be able to order it, but it WILL be more expensive. Your best option is to find your nearest Farm Supplier (like a wholesaler).
They WILL sell to the public. Mine is close enough to deliver for free and they will order specially for you, without hiking the price up.

Alternatively the manufacturer sells directly from their website. (Postage costs apply).

I am aware that Masseys manufacture a Turkey starter @24% protein, but this contains ACS.

Hope this is of help to some of you.


Allen and Page Smallholder Range.

Turkey crumb:
https://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/products/poultry/turkey-starter-crumbs/

 

[casportpony]

I am aware that Masseys manufacture a Turkey starter @24% protein, but this contains ACS.

What is ACS?

 

[SteveUK]

What is ACS?

ACS is added to feed to limit the build up of Coccidia. Allowing the bird to build up immunity. Coccidia is an intestinal disease caused by a parasitic organism. It can cause poor egg production a week bird and in extreme case death. It is advised to remove feed containing ACS from birds 30 days prior to human consumption of either eggs or meat.
As quail mature so quickly I only give feed containing ACS for the first 2 weeks.
Feed manufacturers are required to label feed as containing ACS.
e.g Chick crumb +ACS on the white contents label attached to the bag.

 

[Claire A]

While browsing through the threads it's very apparent that UK quail keepers have difficulty finding readily available feed with a high enough protein content.

To help newbies. I thought I'd post the best (readily available) option I have come across.
It is a Turkey starter (also recommend by the manufacturer for game). Protein is @22%. Now I realise that this is not quite high enough (for growers), but it's probably as close as you can get (again, readily available) and close enough to boost. It is also very good quality. No medication /no growth promoters/no GM/Natural additives.

(Unfortunately it is only available seasonally). Buy enough to see you through the winter months. (Alternatively they do a year round Turkey grower @19%protein).

You won't find it in your local pet shop. They may be able to order it, but it WILL be more expensive. Your best option is to find your nearest Farm Supplier (like a wholesaler).
They WILL sell to the public. Mine is close enough to deliver for free and they will order specially for you, without hiking the price up.

Alternatively the manufacturer sells directly from their website. (Postage costs apply).

I am aware that Masseys manufacture a Turkey starter @24% protein, but this contains ACS.

Hope this is of help to some of you.


Allen and Page Smallholder Range.

Turkey crumb:
https://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/products/poultry/turkey-starter-crumbs/

I live in the UK and had a terrible time finding a high protein food. Recently found a place that sells quail pellets. The grower pellets still only contain 20% - but I give mealworm to top up.

Strangely One of the main Quail farms in the UK - Moonridge Farm - feed and recommend 17+ protein https://moonridgefarm.co.uk/shop/poultry/quail/golden-giant-quail/

Having read some of the few scientific studies on the subject - they generally recommend 20+ protein - but these are all dated.

I will ask about turkey starter when I next go to pick up my quail pellets. Is the starter small enough for quail? Thanks.

 

[SteveUK]

I live in the UK and had a terrible time finding a high protein food. Recently found a place that sells quail pellets. The grower pellets still only contain 20% - but I give mealworm to top up.

Strangely One of the main Quail farms in the UK - Moonridge Farm - feed and recommend 17+ protein https://moonridgefarm.co.uk/shop/poultry/quail/golden-giant-quail/

Having read some of the few scientific studies on the subject - they generally recommend 20+ protein - but these are all dated.

I will ask about turkey starter when I next go to pick up my quail pellets. Is the starter small enough for quail? Thanks.

Hi Claire. Exactly that. The only specific quail food I've found has had no higher protein than chicken feed. So you may as well give them chicken feed and save some money.

I've had hatching eggs from Moonridge.

It's my understanding also that 17% is too low even for mature egg laying quail.
However it is a lot cheaper and more available than high protein game feed!

I have 2 bags of the Turkey crumb on order. They should be delivered next Friday. I'm expecting it to be similar to chick crumb and so should be fine for quail. I'll take some comparison photos when it arrives.

 

[Claire A]

Hi Claire. Exactly that. The only specific quail food I've found has had no higher protein than chicken feed. So you may as well give them chicken feed and save some money.

I've had hatching eggs from Moonridge.

It's my understanding also that 17% is too low even for mature egg laying quail.
However it is a lot cheaper and more available than high protein game feed!

I have 2 bags of the Turkey crumb on order. They should be delivered next Friday. I'm expecting it to be similar to chick crumb and so should be fine for quail. I'll take some comparison photos when it arrives.

I too have had hatching eggs from Moonridge.

I have been lucky - Denne farm shop is quite close and sells the quail feed 20kg = £10.50 so on a par with the chicken feed.

Their chicken feed is only 16% protein and chick crumb not much higher. I think different brands have different % - because the crumb at Jollies is 19% (I think).

Do let me know how you get on with the Turkey starter please - hopefully the protein % is similar to that stocked by the farm shop - I am going to call them tomorrow - they are family-run and so friendly

 

[SteveUK]

I too have had hatching eggs from Moonridge.

I have been lucky - Denne farm shop is quite close and sells the quail feed 20kg = £10.50 so on a par with the chicken feed.

Their chicken feed is only 16% protein and chick crumb not much higher. I think different brands have different % - because the crumb at Jollies is 19% (I think).

Do let me know how you get on with the Turkey starter please - hopefully the protein % is similar to that stocked by the farm shop - I am going to call them tomorrow - they are family-run and so friendly

That is a good price you're paying. How lucky to have such a good place close by. I love family run businesses.

I will keep you updated.

 

[Quagmyre]

Hi
Im new to quail keeping in fact so new im not actually getting my quails till the weekend (very excited), ive just been buying all the bits i need for them and i have found this food from a local company and thought id share it (just copy and paste)
https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=feed quail&PN=Marriages-Quail-Layers-Pellets--7.5kg-MAR_40118557.html#SID=451

its got 20% protein marriages quail microlayers pellets, it was the best I could find when looking here in the UK, the company are flytes so fancy based in Dorchester,Dorset.

Also just wondering what is the best sawdust to use? is it the shavings or fine sawdust? I've made them a big cage/run and put various plants, logs, etc in and a sand bath, do I need anything else?
Many Thanks

Also im getting mine from moonridge farm

 

[Quagmyre]

Forgot to say it £9.92 for 7.5kg, dont know if thats a good price or not ?

 

[Fenrisulfr]

All ppl are so fixed on protein. The recommendations on very high protein are for max. results, but it isn't really healthy for the birds. You should look more that it has correct amounts of calcium, lysin, phophoric etc.

There are 2 very big shops in Germany.

One offering the max. recommendation (29% starter, 20% layer). I was there once. They have 5 big halls as big as a footballfield each. I guess, they have about 30k quails. They are also offering meat and eggs to eat.

The other is offering lower protein in several concentrations (26 to 28% starter and 18 to 19.5% layer) and treat their quails more as pets. Idk how they really keep their quails, but I read somewhere, that they keep their quails in big aviaries.
They don't offer meat or eggs to eat, only hatching eggs.

I hope you relize the difference... the first is producer, the second more caretaker.

As I am something in between, I am ordering at both and mix it

But what I want to say is, that these max. recommendations are more good for humans, not imperative healthy for quails.