Coturnix quail chicks are such fragile things! Their growth is so rapid, they need balanced feeds with the correct protein percent at each stage of life in order to reach a larger adult weight, come into lay on time, and lay larger eggs. Here is the exact percent protein feed needed for quail chicks during each week of life:
Percent Protein Feed Needed For Coturnix Quail Chicks
Let’s jump right into the numbers you need to ensure your quail chicks get the best start in life:
Percent Protein Feed for the First Week of Life:
Just-hatched chicks need 30% protein powdered game bird feed. This must be a starter/grower crumble. It may be marketed as turkey starter, game bird starter or game bird crumble. Quail chicks also need access to clean water in order to digest crumbled feed.
Percent Protein Feed for 2 & 3 Week Olds:
Your 2 and 3 week old Coturnix quail chicks need a minimum of 26% protein feed. 28-30% protein continues to be fine to feed them if you’re finishing up a bag. I love the Kalmbach brand non-GMO 28% protein Turkey & Game Bird Crumble Feed.
Tip: You should begin offering clean play sand to quail chicks during the second or third week of life for dust bathing. Sand should be placed in a large shallow bowl. They will begin to pick tiny pieces of grit from the sand which will prepare them to begin digesting seeds and whole grains. You’ll know the chicks are ready for play sand when you see them trying to dust bathe in their powdered feed around 10-14 days old.
Percent Protein Feed for 4 to 8 Week Olds:
Quail chicks (which are now almost fully feathered juveniles) need 20% protein feed from 4 weeks onward.
Percent Protein Feed for Coturnix Quail Laying Hens:
Once a quail hen comes into lay, 18-20% protein feed is acceptable for the remainder of her life. My covey is fed Kalmbach brand non-GMO 20% protein All Flock Crumbles.
Save Our Percent Protein Quail Chick Feed Chart!
Can Quail Eat Chicken Feed?
Yes they can! The chicken feed should be 18% protein if being fed to Coturnix quail hens. Many people feed 16% chicken crumbles but this is just a bit too low in protein if you want her to lay large eggs regularly. If you can only find 18% pelleted chicken feed, follow these directions to turn pellets into crumbles in your blender. In an emergency you can feed quail any chicken feed for up to 7 days to prevent them from starving.
Giving Natural Treats to Coturnix Quail Chicks?
I do not give my quail chicks any kind of seeds or grains the first week of life because they cannot yet digest them. Once quail are 3+ weeks old and nearing their adult size, I begin to introduce a few dried meal worms. When they pass 1 month old, I begin to give them tiny amounts of homemade natural quail scratch. By tiny amounts I mean 1/8th of a teaspoon per bird.
Before feeding whole grains and seeds, your quail must have had access to clean play sand where they will have picked up the tiny pieces of grit needed to aid them in digestion.
Enjoy Your Quail Chicks!
Quail chicks grow rapidly and if you can feed them a quality, high-protein feed you’ll quickly be rewarded with good egg layers. If you have any feeding questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!
You Might Also Enjoy Reading:
How to Make Powdered Quail Chick Feed
Ultimate Guide to Coturnix Quail Chick Care (with pictures!)
Whole Seed Natural Quail Scratch Recipe
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