What do you feed to quails?

Provide clean, fresh water at all times using waterers designed to prevent contamination from droppings and bedding. Quail dehydrate quickly, especially in warm weather, and even short interruptions in water access reduce egg production and can cause health problems.

Provide a commercial game bird starter feed with 24-30% protein content in crumble form from hatch through 6 weeks. Quail chicks grow rapidly and need significantly more protein than chickens during this phase. Look for feeds labeled "Game Bird Starter" or "Turkey Starter" — standard chicken…

Switch laying quail to a commercial game bird layer feed with 20-24% protein around 6 weeks of age. Game bird layer feeds are formulated with the correct protein-to-calcium ratio for sustained egg production. Some high-protein chicken layer feeds (20%+) can work as a substitute, but game…

Offer crushed oyster shell or limestone grit free-choice in a separate container for all laying quail. This allows hens to self-regulate calcium intake beyond what the layer feed provides, preventing calcium depletion and soft-shelled eggs.

Feed quail raised for meat a game bird grower or finisher feed with 20-22% protein after the starter phase ends at 6 weeks. Continue this feed until processing. Grower/finisher feeds are formulated to promote efficient weight gain without the added calcium found in layer feeds.

Supplement the main diet with small amounts of treats such as mealworms, leafy greens, or chopped vegetables. Keep treats to no more than 10% of total daily food intake to ensure quail consume enough nutritionally balanced feed.