Quail need more protein than chickens, and the #1 feeding mistake is using chicken feed. Rough guide for Coturnix:
- Chicks & growers (0–6 weeks): a game-bird or turkey starter at 24–28% protein. This is the big one — chicken chick starter (~18%) is too low, and you’ll see poor growth and weak birds.
- Laying hens: roughly 18–20% protein with added calcium, or keep them on game-bird feed with free-choice oyster shell on the side.
- Non-laying adults / males: a maintenance game-bird ration is fine.
Always available: clean water and, if they eat anything besides crumble, grit.
Crumble vs. mash is mostly preference — many grind crumble finer for tiny chicks the first few days. What brand and protein % is everyone running?