What is the best and most protein-rich commercially available food for Quails?

[St Marks Quail Farm]

@Texas Kiki @besorto

Thanks for the advice. I might give it a try! I noticed my Cockbird Golden attempting to mate with one or two Japanese Hen's earlier. (Although I'm not planning on buying an incubator until next year).

 

[el dorado quail]

I think 24% protein is the bare minimum you want to feed them

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I'm in the UK and I feed mine on Heygates Super Starter Crumb! (Which is a pheasant and Game bird crumb)

It's 27% protein.

That's for when they are chicks but they do also do a layers version which suits all game birds including Quail.

I personally move my adult Quail onto a complete mixture of seeds, crumb and treats and it works best for me. It's more difficult and costs more but my Quail seem to enjoy the variation more and they lay perfectly fine ​

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

I forgot to add I get mine from a local pet shop that's more of a warehouse kinda shop.

They stock feeds for pretty much any animal including farm/livestock.

However, I still have to get the Heygates ordered in. If you have a local pet feed stockist I'd give them an ask and they may be able to order it in.

I paid £14.50 for a big sack I think!​

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

@Fur-N-Fowl I feed mine Dried Mealworms, lettuce and strawberries, Wild Bird Seed and Marriages Layers Pellets (20% protein).

The Adult Heygates is only (17% protein), which is worse than what I currently have. I have been searching online all day.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

@Fur-N-Fowl I feed mine Dried Mealworms, lettuce and strawberries, Wild Bird Seed and Marriages Layers Pellets (20% protein).

The Adult Heygates is only (17% protein), which is worse than what I currently have. I have been searching online all day.

I honestly don't monitor the protein my adult Quail get since their diet is so varied. They eat grasses and all sorts!

I did feed mine lots of mealworms but they are high in protein and that caused the females to struggle laying eggs. So I had to reduce the protein I gave mine. When she had too much protein she also struggled to walk and her legs were affected for whatever reason.

I've read its recommended that adult laying Quail need around 18% protein. Too high and they can have difficulty laying, like what I experienced. I believe the eggs became too difficult for her to pass.

I believe the 17% game bird layers should be ample with some mealworms mixed in (but not loads).

It's mainly important for them to have the really high protein at the first 6 weeks due to their growth. They're pretty much fully grown after that.

However, it generally comes down to what you are raising Quail for. Meat Quail will need more protein but layers won't need as much ​

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

I honestly don't monitor the protein my adult Quail get since their diet is so varied. They eat grasses and all sorts!

I did feed mine lots of mealworms but they are high in protein and that caused the females to struggle laying eggs. So I had to reduce the protein I gave mine. When she had too much protein she also struggled to walk and her legs were affected for whatever reason.

I've read its recommended that adult laying Quail need around 18% protein. Too high and they can have difficulty laying, like what I experienced. I believe the eggs became too difficult for her to pass.

I believe the 17% game bird layers should be ample with some mealworms mixed in (but not loads).

It's mainly important for them to have the really high protein at the first 6 weeks due to their growth. They're pretty much fully grown after that.

However, it generally comes down to what you are raising Quail for. Meat Quail will need more protein but layers won't need as much ​

Thank you! I'm basically fussing over nothing haha. Do you think 20% is too high?

I am keeping them as layers for the first year, and next year I will start breeding them.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Thank you! I'm basically fussing over nothing haha. Do you think 20% is too high?

I am keeping them as layers for the first year, and next year I will start breeding them.

Of course, I'm not an expert in the percentages area but as long as they are fully grown and laying, I'd say 20% is fine!

Maybe just give mealworms (half a handful between roughly 3 Quails) every couple of days as well as some leafy greens and other small treats. Mine love black sunflower hearts and fresh grass

Some people will say high protein is what Quails need and yes that's true, but generally only for chicks, growers and ones that are to be used for meat. Too much protein for layers effects laying.

Mine also love budgie seed and some millet as a treat. Only small amounts but after all, Quail are usually kept as aviary cleaners!​

 

[Kiki]

This book may help you.
https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/8#45

I wasn't specific enough earlier about what/how I feed my quail.

I feed a turkey/gamebird feed (30% protein) from hatch until they start laying.
Then I with them over to the same layer (16% protein) crumbles I feed my chickens.

 

[St Marks Quail Farm]

That's what I love about forums. We can share ideas/expieriences from Hampshire to Texas. I've noticed Quail keepers from the USA seem to prefer a much higher content of protein compared to Quail keepers in the UK.