UK high protein Quail feed

[Fenrisulfr]

I wouldn't use ACS.
I have no experience ... but I was talking to an old breeder on our farming area last weekend, and he told me, even weak chicken chicks will die with Anti-Coccidiosis drugs in the feed. The survial rate at quail would be low.

Idk, which drugs are used in Germany, but I would strongly recomment not to use any for quails.

 

[SteveUK]

Which do you think is more important for fresh hatched quail, protein or being acs free because I can find either but not both!

Heygates superstarter is 27% + acs readily available.
Allen and paige turkey starter crumb is 22% + no acs readily available.
Marriages organic turkey starter crumb is 24% + no acs but I can't find it available anywhere.
Hi Peak organic chick crumb is 24% + no acs but minimum order is 25 bags!

Not sure what to do. Acs is a thiamine blocker to prevent coccidiosis but thiamine deficiency in quail is bad news. I'm not sure whether to get a small amount of superstarter for the first few weeks of rapid growth then change to acs free. I know the avatec acs has a 5 day withdrawal period for eggs and meat so not sure I want to feed that to my birds.

Of your choices if you don't want to use a feed containing ACS then I'd go for the Allen and page option and suppliment. As @Claire A said.
Do not worry about the health of your quail if you are only able to give them the Allen and Page on its own. They will be fine. (Turkeys are)
We have spoken about supplementing in earlier posts. But another way of supplementing or even feeding on its own is ground up (food processor, blender, pesil and morter) *fish based* dry cat food. It's usually around 30% protein. Tesco own brand is 30% and is £1.31 for 1kg. Now this may sound strange to us, but our friend's across the pond are generally more experienced with quail than us and plenty of them use it. It''s full of vitamins and minerals and the quail like it. "I have used it". Another option while you're at the tackle shop buying maggots is fish pellets. These tend to be very high in protein. I've seen someone using catfish pellets. (Not the ones you buy from the pet shop) that would cost you a fortune. Trout pellets could be worth checking out. As used by commercial fisheries. The main problem with these supplements is that having to grind them soon becomes a pain.

 

[SteveUK]

Hi Steve,

Have your birds been suffering in the heat? just spent two days creating lots more shade for them. Many had their beaks open and seemed to be puffing If only they would use the shelters or the covered bit, but no - they want to be out in the open. Had to bring some into the house.

Bantams are so sweet - I have lavender pekin's - I adore them but boy are they noisy.

I inquired about soymeal and have a bag on order. Only slightly cheaper than your link when accounting postage. I am looking at alternatives as the farm shops supplier has to order it in special - so guessing this is the added cost.

It would be much easier to just get a bag off the shelf. Apparently you could get a higher protein grower from Haygate - but they changed it all into one quail feed

Oh, no doubt low protein affects the size and laying of quail. Strangely adult birds do not seem to have a problem with 20% - but then they are out in a large enclosure and likely making it up in insects. Thought of making a maggot bucket in there - but I am worried about the smell.

You have some great ideas! Maggot bucket is brilliant.
Not sure about the smell. It would probably depend on what you put in it. Road kill would be good. Recycled, natural food.

The weather here "North West" hasn't been that warm this week. So no prob with over heating quail. They seem fine in hot states in the US. Like us I guess they're not used to it here. Mine have enjoyed the warmth though. Stretching out on their sides like they're dead!

If you try elsewhere you may be able to get the soy meal cheaper. My place has had to order it in as they don't keep it in. I'm not sure how much yet. He did say £450 for a 1 ton tote bag. Remember you will be doing a 2-1 mix so added together and divided by 3 will give you the cost per bag.

I only have Araucana bantams at the moment. Some are lavender and I have more lavender in the bator from another breeder. I can't believe how quiet they are. They are the quietest breed. I've had (Pekin, Welsummer, Wyandotte, Legbar, Leghorn) The noisiest were the Pekin and Wyandotte.

 

[SteveUK]

@Quagmyre How are you getting on preparing for those quail? Not long to wait now.
My hatch from Moonridge were supposed to be all Golden giants, but there are colour variants in there. They appear to be (I don't know their correct names) Standard Golden, Wild brown, Black and white speckled and pale Golden. Not sure how this will change as they get older, but nice.

 

[Quagmyre]

@Quagmyre How are you getting on preparing for those quail? Not long to wait now.
My hatch from Moonridge were supposed to be all Golden giants, but there are colour variants in there. They appear to be (I don't know their correct names) Standard Golden, Wild brown, Black and white speckled and pale Golden. Not sure how this will change as they get older, but nice.
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[Quagmyre]

Picked them up a couple of days ago, they are so cute and had 2 eggs already, they spend ages taking sand baths and seem to like their cage we made.

 

[Quagmyre]

@Quagmyre How are you getting on preparing for those quail? Not long to wait now.
My hatch from Moonridge were supposed to be all Golden giants, but there are colour variants in there. They appear to be (I don't know their correct names) Standard Golden, Wild brown, Black and white speckled and pale Golden. Not sure how this will change as they get older, but nice.
View attachment 2151548View attachment 2151549View attachment 2151550View attachment 2151551

Great thanks but just wondering I have bought them grit (chick size) do I need the oyster shell to help with calcium levels?

 

[SteveUK]

Great thanks but just wondering I have bought them grit (chick size) do I need the oyster shell to help with calcium levels?

Yes. Oyster shell and grit serve different purposes. You won't need to offer oyster shell until they start laying.

Edit: I see they've started laying (congrats) so yes.

 

[SteveUK]

So. My feed delivery took longer than expected! 2 weeks to be precise!
My supplier is having problems due to covid. I've noticed a lot of online shops are out of stock.
I also ordered Allen & Page Turkey crumb 22% and got A&P Turkey grower/finisher 19%. I think it's the best my supplier could do. The Turkey grower/finisher pellets are smaller than standard poultry grower. Probably because they also recommend it for game birds. Nice size for adult quail.

Soy meal also arrived.

I've also taken a leaf out of @Claire A 's book and set up a meal worm farm.

So much fun watching my quail and chickens the first time they tried them.

 

[Floydie]

I'm using heygates quail feed, I get it from eBay but it's around £18 / £20 for a 20kg bag delivered.