Choosing the right feed for quail is easier when you know what they actually need. Quails are small but grow quickly and therefore have a high need for protein, and later calcium when they start laying eggs.
It's possible to give the same type of feed throughout their life, but you can also adjust the feed as they grow and develop.
In this article, I'll give you an overview of what's most important in a quail's diet, and tips on products that meet their nutritional needs.
Why it's so important to choose the right feed
Feed is more than just food. The feed affects how the quail grow and develop, their feather health, how well they lay eggs and how resistant they become to disease.
A lack of protein, vitamins or calcium will quickly affect growth, egg quality and well-being. Choosing the right feed is therefore very important for healthy quail.
Nutritional needs of quails
I would like to point out that this is a very simplified overview of the most important nutrients quails need.
The science behind it is far more advanced, but the overview helps you know what to look for on the content declaration on the feed bag.
| Protein | Calcium | |
|---|---|---|
| Quail chicks | 20–25% * | Approx. 0.8% |
| Male quail | 18–22% | Approx. 0.8% |
| Laying quail hens | 18–20% | 2.5–3.0% |
* Quail chicks generally need 20–25% protein, provided that the feed is balanced with the right amounts of energy, vitamins and minerals.
Different types of feed
Quails have slightly different needs throughout their lives.
You can use a good all-purpose feed throughout its lifetime and add some supplements on the side, or choose to customise the feed to suit different needs.
Here are some common categorizations:
1. Chicken feed
Chickens grow quickly and benefit from a protein-rich starter feed for safe and steady development.
See also Feeding quail chicks: Useful tips for the first few weeks.
2. Growth feed
Growth feed is often used for chickens to avoid too rapid growth and strain on the body, and to provide a smoother transition between chicken and adult feed.
Growth feed has less protein than chicken feed and less calcium than laying feed.
Quails don't necessarily need their own growth feed if you have a well-balanced universal feed. However, if you are using a chick feed with 20–25% protein, it may be a good idea to have a transition phase with growth feed before starting with other adult feed with significantly less protein.
3. Layer feed
When quails start laying eggs, they need extra calcium to build strong shells. You can use a specialised feed for laying quails.
Please note that Layer feed should not be fed to males or chickens due to the high calcium content.
4. All-purpose feed
If you keep both females and males together, you can simply give them a universal feed and offer fine crusted oyester shells in a separate container on the side to fulfill the hen's need for calcium.
Please read Oyster shell for quail: an important source of calcium.
My product recommendation
My best recommendation is to choose a feed that's easy to get hold of and that suits your quail throughout their lives.
Felleskjøpet Fryd Kylling
Felleskjøpet Fryd Kylling is available here in Norway, and is developed for chickens and fast-growing poultry breeds. It has 23 % protein and 0.79 % calcium, and is therefore suitable as a main feed throughout the life cycle of quails.
But remember:
when the hens start laying eggs, you'll need to add oyster sand to meet their calcium requirements.
Specialized feed for quails
A manufacturer specialising in quail feed is Wachtel Shop in Germany. This is a skilled team that makes specialised feed for quails using natural raw materials without genetically modified ingredients.
From here I can recommend the following:
WacthelGold® Universal feed for quails
A good all-purpose feed with herbs, seeds and natural ingredients. Specially formulated for quail and can be used all year round.
WachtelGold® Special feed for laying hens
A laying feed for productive hens. Contains everything they need to produce strong eggs and stay in good shape. It should not be used for roosters or quail chicks.
WachtelGold® Special feed for quail chickens
A starter feed for chickens that can be used for the first 6 weeks. It contains all the essential nutrients that chickens need, as well as additives to aid digestion. The pieces are slightly smaller, so you don't need to grind the feed for the chicks to consume it.
Supplements and variation in feed for quails
Although the main feed covers the most important needs, you can provide snacks and supplements for more variety.
Oyster shells
As mentioned, this is important for guardian guards. Feel free to read Oyster shell for quail: an important source of calcium.
Grit
Helps digestion when fed whole grains, other coarser feeds or vegetables.
Vegetables, berries and herbs
Cucumber, lettuce, corn, various berries and herbs can be given in small quantities. It provides variety and occupation, and it's nice to hand out to tame the quails.
Quail should not eat their fill of vegetables, berries or herbs. While a good feed contains a good balance of all the vitamins that quail need, lettuce, for example, is very low in protein.
Insects or mealworms
An extra source of protein that quails really appreciate. This should not be given in large quantities, as mealworms are very high in protein. Instead, hand it out when you stop by the quails to tame them.
Millet and other bird snacks
Millet is a success with me. I use both loose millet seeds and millet cobs. The seeds are nice to hand out to tame the quails, while the cobs can be hung up to activate the quails.
What you should avoid
Salty foods, sugar, chocolate and processed foods have no place in quail diets. In my experience, quails are less interested in leftovers than chickens.
Common mistakes when choosing feed for quails
Here are some challenges that can arise if you choose the wrong type of feed or don't supplement with the right vitamins.
| Challenge | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Too little protein | Results in poorer growth, small eggs or reduced production. |
| Too little calcium | Results in thin eggshells, shell-less eggs or pauses in laying. |
| Too many treats | If quail fill up on treats, they miss out on the balanced vitamins found in a well-formulated feed. |
Frequently asked questions about feeding quail
What kind of feed should quails have?
Quail chicks need feed with 20–25% protein. Male quail need 18–22%, while laying quail hens need 18–20% protein. Use chicken feed or specialized feed for quails, and always feed oyster shell alongside for laying hens.
Can quails eat regular chicken feed?
Yes, but with reservations. Ordinary poultry feed often contains too much calcium for young quails and roosters. This can cause kidney damage. Instead, use chicken feed or an all-round feed and offer oyster shell alongside it for laying hens.
What happens if quail don't get enough calcium?
The eggshell becomes thin or soft, known as a leather egg, or egg laying may stop.
What happens if quails don't get enough protein?
They develop slower, the eggs become smaller and production can stop.
Can quails eat vegetables and snacks?
Yes, but in small quantities. Cucumber, lettuce, berries, herbs and insects can be given as supplements. Snacks should not make up more than 10 % of the diet.
Summary
The simplest choice is a good universal feed supplemented with oyster shell for the hens.
For those who want the best, speciality blends are available from niche retailers such as Wachtel Shop.
Provide variety with vegetables and insects sparingly.
Best of luck! ❤️
