What weight to butcher quail at?

[DK newbie]

According to research coturnix quail need 24% protein to lay the biggest, best and most eggs they can. As there are usually no laying mixes with this much protein, people keep giving them game bird starter and simply add a dish of crushed oyster shell on the side so the birds can eat what they need. This way you are not forcing the roos that are with the hens to eat something they don't need (which can be hard on their organs) and the hens can dose their intake themselves so they get exactly what they need. Just make sure the oyster shell is a small size so the little quail beaks can handle them.

 

[Stormy Storrs]

I butchered at about 8 weeks and was surprised how much meat and fat was on the birds. I fed an organic chick starter. Millet, peas, wheat, that sort of thing.