What should be food for quail and how to make it
Only the lazy does not speak about the benefits and taste of quail meat and eggs. Birds are truly wonderful pets, and many beginner and intermediate farmers choose to breed them. The productivity and health of birds depends to a large extent on the conditions of keeping. Last but not least, it is important to ensure that the quail feed is balanced.
Quail food
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 how to cook food for feathered pets with your own hands. For those for whom the article will not be enough, we advise you to watch the video.
Requirements for the "correct" feed
Quail feed should be of the best quality and meet all requirements. It does not matter in what conditions the compound feed was made, it must comply with all standards, that is, it must be balanced, digestible and high in calories. It is difficult to find a suitable composition at home, so farmers prefer to buy compound feed for quail feeding. Some owners buy mixtures for chicken, but this is a mistake: such food is critically low in protein, while for domestic quail, especially for young stock and layers, protein-rich food is vital.
There are several types of mixed feed for quails of different ages to choose from: for chicks, broilers and layers. PK1 and PK2 are feed suitable for laying hens and chicks. PK1 contains a lot of bran and grain, bone meal, which is useful for the growth of birds. This diet is worth feeding the chicks. PC2, in addition to corn and wheat, includes a large amount of mineral additives, they are useful for young animals. PK5 is the most expensive option and the most balanced. For adult birds, PK2, PK4 and 6 are most suitable feeds. The mixture usually contains grain and various additives, depending on the type of feed.
- Cereals (barley, wheat, corn) must make up at least 40% of the feed.
- Fishmeal contains a lot of fat, protein and amino acids. It is well absorbed, but quickly deteriorates.
- Yeast contains protein and vitamin. The meal also contains vitamins.
- Meat and bone meal is an excellent source of protein.
Granulated feed for quails of excellent quality is produced by "Amuragrocenter". The compound feed for quails produced by this company has many advantages. In particular, it contains the necessary set of useful and nutritious substances, it is hygienic.
The Istra Combine and Istra - Bread Product also produce high quality feed for quails. One of the best food for quails is Purina. For chicks up to 7 weeks old, experienced farmers buy DK-5 compound feed.
How to make food with your own hands
You don't have to spend money on quail feed. You can make compound feed for quails with your own hands at home: this will not be particularly difficult even for a beginner. What is needed for this?
- The norm of cereals is from 40 to 55% of the feed.Grain must be pre-cleaned, as unrefined it will spoil the digestive system of birds, possibly leading to death. Flour should not be used either.
- Vegetables and fruits should be added to the base in the form of grain products. The most beneficial are carrots (a source of carotene), beets, cabbage (improves the appearance of feathers) and potatoes. It is recommended, firstly, to thoroughly peel the vegetables and boil them, and secondly, chop them. Poultry can be fed with solid coarse particles. Trace elements contained in vegetables contribute to the health of birds, and also have a beneficial effect on their meat: they will improve its taste.
- Minced fish, eggshells and greens, as well as easily digestible and protein-rich cottage cheese are suitable as additional additives.
Homemade quail food 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, add a teaspoon of the previously listed additives. To get a clearer idea of how to prepare bird feed, watch the video.
Even if it was decided to prepare food for quails with your own hands, it is worth adding a special vitamin complex to it. This is especially important for layers, 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 feed.
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 birds' life, however, it should not be forgotten in the future. What is always worth remembering?
- It is advisable to feed at certain times of the day. Make sure that there are no interruptions in feeding.
- Birds should eat plentifully, but young birds like to spread grain around the house, so it is best not to fill the feeders completely.
- You need to start preparing food in advance, but you should not store it for a long time so as not to deteriorate. In no case should rotten vegetables be given to birds, otherwise they will get sick. Accordingly, preparing a diet from spoiled foods means in fact that you will kill your pets on your own.
- Day-old chicks may have to be taught to eat if the brood was obtained by incubation.
Formulation of rations
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 starter diet includes the following products:
- During the first days of life, chicks are given crushed eggs and shells.
- On the third day, you can add grated low-fat cottage cheese to the eggs.
- On day 5, you can give finely chopped greens.
- The daily diet of adults is unevenly divided. In the last feeding it is given more. For the last feeding, poultry houses recommend adding a large amount of grain: the quails digest it for a long time, which means they will feel full until the morning.
The next stage is the age from 7 days. At this time, an adult diet is introduced. If it is difficult to prepare homemade feed, you can use the purchased compound feed. It is better to introduce compound feed gradually, as the chicks are not yet old enough to feed only on it. They begin to be considered adults in a month, then they can prepare homemade food, which they usually feed their adult quails.
How much and what to give to the birds depends, of course, on age and how they are going to be used. Cooking food for females is the most responsible business. Without good food, they refuse to produce eggs, and their own health is poor. An obligatory component in their feed is protein, it should be at least 26%. The number of eggs laid depends on the amount of protein. There should be enough grain in the feed (if there is a shortage of which the birds will not lay) and eggshells.
Seasonal supplements and feeding
In winter, quails eat mainly mixed feed, but it will be useful for their health to add foods full of vitamins and minerals to the main dish. Sprouted oats, green onions, dried summer herbs are suitable as such.
In the summer, Mother Nature ordered to dilute the diet with all kinds of green products, for example, clover, nettle, cabbage. All of these foods improve the absorption of nutrients. True, it is recommended to grind the greens thoroughly, and for the chicks - also pass through a blender or meat grinder. It is also recommended to get the birds a "delicacy": earthworms.
Feeding is different from conventional diets and is introduced gradually, step by step. If you start to feed suddenly, the digestive system of the birds will not stand it and they will glue the flippers together. First, the quails are sent to a separate, darkened poultry house, while the males are kept separate from the females. In diets for the unfortunate, the percentage of fat is increased. The transition to a new diet is carried out within four days. On the first day, they give a mixed feed from the old and the new, then gradually reduce the proportion of the old and transfer them completely to the new regime.
Quails are fed for 4 weeks, and in the last few days the amount of feed has been increased by 8-10%. After fattening, the weight of the bird increases to 160 g, and a lot of subcutaneous fat appears on the chest. The foods in the diet affect how the meat ends up. Let's say onions and garlic will spoil its taste, so it's best not to use them. On the other hand, carrots will make the color of the meat more beautiful, which means that it will be more successful on sale.
Preparing your own food for your favorite and tasty quails is not a matter of 2 minutes, but according to some farmers, it is more economical and healthier than buying conventional compound feed. Even if you use purchased food, you will have to add a little vitamins to it so that the birds feel good, grow meat and bring eggs.