The Quail Necessities - Feed / Water
What do you need to know?
Feed in another topic that is dependant on type, purpose and can be tailored to seasons as well as if you have a hens only group to ensure they are getting suitable protein levels, vitamins/minerals, calcium and other natural dietary sources for anti fungals, anti oxidants, water and fibre. In general, quail excel on a higher protein diet and always welcome treats like meal worms, grubs, crickets, berries and leafy greens/weeds that they would naturally find and forage for it in the wild. It’s always advisable to do some research prior to offering to your birds - and then selecting a quality source / human grade option to achieve maximum benefit.
Selecting the right feed
Basic feed should be a suitable crumble style feed (game bird, mixed flock, turkey etc) and should be kept clean and dry. Feed should be available at all times and offered in a safe container / dispenser. Each type of quail has slightly varied needs during their growth and development stages as well as additional protein needs for laying hens.
Chick’s crumble should be ground up for the first week (2 weeks for button chicks)
for ease of consuming and avoiding choking. Then they can consume the small crumble in its standard form. As the grow it is safe to add additional supplements, grit etc to the diet.
Protein levels recommended;
Button: 25-30% as chicks and then maintained with 24% as adults
*we have personally found better health and success with our laying hens to keep them on the higher 30% throughout their lifespan
Coturnix: 24-30% as chicks and then maintained with 18-22% as adults (6wks +)
Bobwhite and other game quail: 26-30% as chicks and then maintained with 1-22% as adults, however slightly higher protein will help with consistent egg laying in hens
Addition of grit
Crumble feed on its own is NOT enough, there is a need for access to grit. The purpose in offering this is for digestive aid. Quail do no have teeth, so the grit helps them grind down food in the gizzard. This is essential for digesting grains, seeds and various types of greens. Proper digestion and break down helps to prevent crop impaction for hens and roos of all breeds. Nutrient absorption is also improved when the food is properly broken down.
Options for grit: hard grit like chick grit, oyster shell, sand (specific type) used in their dust baths. Having it mixed in daily feed or offered as free choice are both suitable options. For those that use a sandbox/dirt bath may find their quail utilize sands/soils as digestive aids as well.
Crushed oyster shell is our personal choice for grit option
Fresh veggies / greens
Leafy greens are always enjoyed by those birds - you are likely to hear little coos of thanks when they eat them. Lettuce, kale, spinach, dandelion greens, clover, swiss chard and cabbage are all good options and can easily be mixed in with fresh green herbs and other veggies like celery, cucumber, carrot tops, peppers and zucchini. A few herbs that are fairly easily accessible: parsley, basil and mint. Additionally cilantro, rosemary, thyme and lemon balm are all considered quail safe. Greens and herbs will have different benefits; antibiotic properties, stress relief, gut health and to promote natural foraging behaviour if safe plants are potted and kept in the enclosure.
Although beneficial, these fresh ingredients should be used as supplemental feeding not as core diet and be offered in moderation. Please note, in some cases I taking greens may result in a change of their waste colour or texture. Adjust if needed based our your covey’s tolerance and interest level & remove and left over to avoid rotting produce.
* Wash produce before offering to your birds - especially if using purchased produce from a grocery store as they are often treated prior to transport.
Seeds and little things
Offering various seeds in addition to the base crumble is a great option as a treat / foraging enrichment for your quail. Like anything, moderation is key so it’s best to offer in smaller quantities or as an occasional bonus for them. Sprinkling them across a textured mat where they have to search for them can provide some enrichment activity and mental stimulation.
Suitable options: Finch mix, white and red millet, niger, canary, chia, flax and cracked corn (*corn should not to be offered to young chicks)
Parasite Control
Parasite control is also an important part of your covey’s care. We utilize diatomaceous earth - they can ingest this (we mix into our custom feed blend) on a monthly basis for internal parasite prevention / control. It can also be used in their dust bath to help address any feather dwelling parasites. It would be VITAL to select food grade product if offering to your birds (even if using solely in their dust bath as they will likely consume it as well)
Berries
Mixed berries offered as a treat provide beneficial antioxidants, the skin texture of the berries also vary which allows them to peel, peck and poke the fruit and exhibit their natural habits. Suitable options; blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and in small amounts cranberry can also be offered to them
In addition to berries watermelon, cantaloupe, pear and apple would be suitable fruit options to offer (no seeds) and also provide additional hydration during warmed days. For these fruits its best to chop into small easy to manage pieces or larger wedges for them to peck at (using a secured/stationary set up)
Bugging out!
It may seem silly to consider but the type and quality of the bugs you offer your birds DOES matter. It will impact the protein and nutrient value of the product and in turn the level of benefit it provides your birds. Crickets (live if you are able to), meal worms & black soldier fly larvae are all worth considering.
Black solider fly larvae is a prized gem in our case; they are high in calcium compared to other bug options which directly impact the egg shells (& assist with bone health) They are rich in essential amino and fatty acids which will help in growth and development. The nutrient value packed into these bugs is also very beneficial to the birds during their melting season / through the winter months. They are easily digestible.
We have seen first hand an impact on egg size and yolk quality - so if you are raising quail for their eggs specifically this is something you’ll want to keep on hand, just like we do. Knowing the source and quality of the larvae is very important, that is why we have worked to find a very reputable CANADIAN source and are currently working out details to be able to offer them to you via our website.
Meal Worms
Dried mealworms are typically a readily available option through pet stores are bird feed stores, hence its a common choice for bird owners to offer their flocks. They are easy to keep and can be offered to wild birds as well if you like to spoil them too!
While these worms are not as protein rich as BSFL they are still considered a great addition to a strong meal plan for quail raiseres.
H2O
Water is an essential - ensure clean and fresh water is ALWAYS available to any type of quail. The type of dispenser used may depend on life stage and type of quail you are keeping. Once matured enough nearly all quail can use the Chick watering options at feed stores. The slow release / gravity fed disk can screw on to mason jars or the available plastic containers kept with them at feed store. There are more than one size available which may be required depending on the size of your covey (multiple smaller ones will also work) It is best to ensure they are elevated to help keep being / debris and waste from collecting in them - fair warning quail aren't all that tidy!
Electrolytes
Water sometimes needs a little boost to help young chicks or birds that are having some struggles (injury, over heating etc)
Newly hatched chicks that receive electrolytes thrive compared to those that do not as they gain essential energy boost, digestive aid and keep bodily stresses down as they transition from egg/incubator to their brooder life.
During higher temperature days, adding electrolytes to your birds water will help prevent the dilution of minerals when they tend to need to drink more to keep themselves hydrated.
When you are moving new birds into your covey stress levels are naturally going to raise, this would be another good time to consider adding electrolytes to their water for a period of time and also would help them recover in the event of any small injuries / scuffles as hierarchy gets reestablished.
Laying hens also benefit from added electrolytes during peak laying times as their bodies are naturally depleted it will help balance them and keep eggshells consistent.