What should be the food for quail and how to make it

The benefits and taste of quail meat and eggs are not only lazy says. Birds are really wonderful pets, and many farmers, both beginners and not so, decide to breed them. Bird productivity and health depend to a large extent on the conditions of detention. Last but not least, it is important to ensure that the quail food is balanced.

Forage for quail

For feeding, you can use compound feed purchased for quail in the store, or you can make the mixture yourself. In the article you will learn about how to cook food for feathered pets with your own hands. it’s not enough, we advise you to watch the video.

Requirements for the “right” feed

The quail food must be of the best quality and meet all the requirements. It does not matter under what conditions compound feed, it must comply with all standards, that is, be balanced, digestible and high-calorie. At home, choosing the right composition is difficult, so farmers prefer to buy compound feed for feeding quails. Some owners buy chicken mixes, but this is a mistake: protein is critically low in such food, while protein-rich foods are vital for homemade quail, especially for young and laying hens.

There are several types of animal feeds for people of different ages quails to choose from: for chicks, broilers and layers.PK1 and PK2 are feeds suitable for quail hens and chicks. In PK1 there are a lot of bran and cereals, bone meal, which is useful for the growth of birds. Such a diet should feed the chicks. PK2, in addition to corn and wheat, includes a large number of mineral additives, they are useful for young animals. PK5 is the most expensive and most balanced option. PK2, PK4 and 6 feeds are most suitable for adult birds. The mixture usually contains grain and various additives, depending on the type of feed.

1. Cereals (barley, wheat, corn) should be at least 40% of the feed .
2. Fishmeal contains a lot of fat, protein and amino acids. It is well absorbed, but quickly deteriorates.
3. Yeast includes protein and vitamin. Meal also contains vitamins.
4. Meat and bone meal is an excellent source of protein.

Granular compound feed for quails of excellent quality is produced by Amuracenter. The quail feed produced by this company has many advantages. In particular, it contains the necessary set of useful and nutritious substances, it is hygienic.

Istra combine and Istra bakery product also produce high-quality quail feed. One of the best quail feeds is Purina. For chicks under the age of 7 weeks, experienced farmers buy DK-5 compound feed.

How to make your own food

It’s not necessary to spend money on quail food.You can make feed for quails with your own hands at home: this will not be difficult for even a beginner. What is needed for this?

1. Grain rate – from 40 to 55% of the feed. The grain must be pre-cleaned, as in uncleaned form it will spoil the digestive system of birds, possibly leading them to death. Flour should also not be used.
2. Vegetables and fruits should be added to the base in the form of cereal products. The most useful are carrots (a source of carotene), beets, cabbage (improves the appearance of the feather) and potatoes. It is recommended, firstly, to thoroughly peel the vegetables and boil them, and secondly, to grind. Solid large particles of birds can be fed. Microelements contained in vegetables contribute to the health of birds and also have a beneficial effect on their meat: improve its taste.
3. Fish mince, eggshell and greens, as well as easily digestible and protein-rich cottage cheese, are suitable as additional additives.

Food for quail at home is made according to one of many recipes, depending on the condition of the birds. All recipes are based on a large number of crushed grains to which, if necessary, are added to a teaspoon of the previously listed additives. For a clearer picture of how to prepare bird food, watch the video.

Even if you decide to cook your own quail food, you should add a special vitamin complex to it.This is especially important for laying hens, although it will be useful for birds of other ages, if, of course, the goal is to get tasty meat. It is easy to use: the complex is carefully mixed with the food.

Feeding rules

Making food for your favorite quails with your own hands is just the beginning. They should feed the birds at least 3-4 times a day. Daily feeding is especially important in the first days of the life of birds, but you can not forget about it in the future. What is always worth remembering?

1. Feeding preferably at certain times of the day. Make sure that there are no interruptions in feeding.
2. Birds should eat plentifully, but young animals love to spread grain across the house, so it’s better not to fill the feeders completely.
3. Cooking should be started in advance, however, it should not be stored for a long time so that it does not deteriorate. In no case should rotten vegetables be given to birds, otherwise they will become ill. Accordingly, cooking a diet of spoiled products means that you will kill your pets on your own.
4. Daily chicks can be taught to eat if the brood was obtained by incubation.

Making diets

On the first day after the birth of the chick and up to the age of 7 days they are fed a certain diet, which can only be done in the kitchen. The following products are included in the starter diet:

1. During the first days of the life of the chicks, they are given crushed eggs and shells.
2. On the third day, you can add grated cottage cheese to the eggs.
3. On the 5th day, you can give finely chopped greens.
4. The daily diet of adults is divided unevenly. In the last feeding it give more. At the last feeding, the poultry houses recommend adding a large amount of grain: quails digest it for a long time, which means they will feel full until morning.

The next stage is the age of 7 days. An adult diet is introduced at this time. If it’s difficult to make homemade food, you can use the purchased mixed feed. It is better to introduce compound feed gradually, since the chicks are not yet old enough to feed only on them. They begin to be considered adults in a month, then they can cook homemade food, which is usually fed to their adult quail.

How much and what to give the birds to eat depends, of course, on their age and how they are going to use it. Cooking for females is the most important thing. Without good food, they refuse to bring eggs, and their own health desires better. The obligatory component in their feed is protein, it should account for at least 26%. The number of eggs laid depends on the amount of protein. The feed should have enough grain (if not enough, the birds will not be carried) and eggshell.

Seasonal supplements and fattening

In winter, quails eat mostly mixed feeds, but for their health it will be useful to add foods full of vitamins and minerals to the main dish. As such, sprouted oats, green onions, dried summer herbs are suitable.

In summer, mother nature ordered to dilute the diet with all kinds of green products, such as clover, nettle, cabbage. All of these foods improve the absorption of nutrients. True, it is recommended to chop the greens well, and for the chicks – also pass them through a blender or meat grinder. It is also recommended that birds get a “delicacy”: earthworms.

Fattening is different from conventional diets and is introduced gradually, step by step. If you start to fatten suddenly, the digestive system of birds will not stand and they glue fins. First, the quail is sent to a separate, darkened house, while the males are kept separate from the females. In the diets for the unfortunate increase the percentage of fat. The transition to a new food is carried out within four days. On the first day they give mixed feed from the old and new, then gradually reduce the proportion of the old and switch completely to the new mode.

Feeding quail for 4 weeks, and in the last few days, the amount of feed is increased by 8-10%. After feeding, the weight of the bird increases to 160 g, there is also a lot of subcutaneous fat on the chest. Products in the diet affect how the meat will end up. Let’s say onions and garlic ruin its taste, so it’s best not to use them. On the other hand, carrots will make the meat color more beautiful, which means it will be sold more successfully.

Preparing food for your beloved and tasty quails with your own hands is not a matter of 2 minutes, but according to some farmers it is more economical and more useful than buying conventional feed.Even when using purchased food, you will have to add some vitamins to it so that the birds feel good, grow meat and bring eggs.