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Author Topic: Feed for adult Coturnix  (Read 5667 times)
pocketsierra
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« on: March 03, 2005, 12:35:57 PM »

What do most people do for feed for adult quail?

I'm starting the quail out on Gamebird Starter. I found that locally.

My general plan is to start breeding birds on Game Bird Layer at about 4 weeks (since they start laying at 8 weeks). Some males will be in the same cage, so I hope the layer doesn't do them any harm.

I also plan to keep those birds destined for meat on starter up through harvest at 8-10 weeks. Might not be ideal, but I won't ever have enough of these to consume a 50 lb bag of grower before it goes bad.  If I do ever get Valley Quail with a longer lifecycle, the grower may be worth it.  

My local feed stores don't know if they have game bird layer yet. They wondered if pigeon layer would work; I didn't know and didn't want to take a chance. Has anybody had to improvise on this? Used turkey layer or something else? What brands have people used?

I'm guessing when I'm fully staffed I will have approximately 25 laying quail and a smaller number of males for fertility.

Nathan
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pocketsierra
Guest
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2005, 06:19:25 PM »

Here are some brands that I've found

Nutrena
Game Bird Starter
Game Bird Grower

Purina
Game Bird Chow - Startena
                          Grower
                          Flight Conditioner
                          Layena
                          Finisher

Albers
Turkey and Game Bird Breeder
Turkey and Pheasant Starter
Turkey and Pheasant Grower

Any feedback on brands is appreciated.

These will help me be more specific when I call the feed stores. Their first response is usually "huh" when I ask for Game Bird Layer.

Nathan
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penny's dad
Guest
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2005, 05:36:31 AM »

I HAVE A COMMENT ON THE STARTER. YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO KEEP THEM ON THE STARTER UNTIL YOU BUTCHERED THEM.WELL I RAISED SOME STRAIGHT RUN CHICKENS IN MY BROODER ONE TIME AND FED STARTER TOO LONG AND WE COULDN'T EAT THEM. THEY HAD A MEDICINE TASTE TO THEM. ASKED THE GUY AT THE FEED STORE AND HE SAID I SHOULD HAVE THKEN THEM OFF THE STARTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE SLAUGHTER BECAUSE OF THE MEDICINE IN THE STARTER DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET OUT OF THEIR BODY. I'VE NEVER USED ANY OF THE BRANDS THAT YOU LISTED ONLY FLINT RIVER WHICH IS A LOCAL MILL.      P.D.
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pocketsierra
Guest
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2005, 12:26:29 PM »

That is a good point about medicated starter. Not all starter has medication, but some do. In particular, I think turkey starter has it. The Albus brand also apparently has it in the turkey and pheasant *grower*.

I'll keep that guideline in mind: no medicated feed for three weeks before harvest.

Does it do any harm for the males to eat the lay chow? I hope not since I can't easily prevent it if they are in the same cage.

("Just eat it, boy. No, it will not turn you into a girl").
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RedOakGamebirds
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« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2005, 07:37:00 PM »

We used to use Souther States before we started having our feeed custom made for us.  For the best quality egg production you should have them on a good layer prior to the first eggs.  It should have the proper amount of protein and calcium.  If your feed doesnt have enough calcium you can always add it as a supplement.  Oyster shell and grit work very well too.  It is also recommended to make sure your feed has the proper amount of protein.  Bobwhite and Coturnix require different protein levels for egg production.  I have fed our birds the same feed for a long time with little to no problems but you do get the occasional blowout from the hen.  When we use our custom made feed the protein is somewhat higher for our Bobwhites but is disatrous to Coturnix if its not spread out.  Too much protein will literally burn the hen inside out.  Coturnix are very prolific eaters.  They eat twice as much as other birds.  If you plan to butcher them fast you can fatten them up with wheat and corn.  We use a mixture of all three.  For chicks we use turkey starter.  Many starters have BMD added to them as some grower feeds also have it added as well.  As with any medications you want to avoid eating the bird or egg until you stop the medication for the correct amount of time.  Also the males eat the same feed as females do.  If you had to separate them during feeding you will have to baby sit them 24/7 as they eat all the time.  If you ever need a good recipe for feed I have several that we adapted through the years that we use on our own birds and have excellent results.  But you will have to mill it by the ton.

Larry
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