Quail Chick Feed: A finely textured start for your quail chicks

Quail Chick Feed: Small, fine and rich in protein

Newly hatched quail chicks are barely bigger than a bumblebee and need plenty of energy right from the start. Quail chick feed has a particularly fine texture and is rich in protein, so the little ones can peck it up easily and gain weight quickly. In our range you will find a dedicated quail chick feed for the first eight weeks, along with chick feed and organic alternatives for rearing.

The first days after hatching

Quail chicks are precocial and start eating just a few hours after hatching. At first, scatter the feed on kitchen paper or a shallow lid so they can find it easily. A shallow drinker with pebbles or marbles in it is essential to stop the chicks from drowning. A heat lamp or heat plate provides the warmth they need in the first weeks.

From chick to laying quail

Quail grow faster than chickens and are sexually mature at around six to eight weeks. Until then they get quail chick feed as a complete feed. After that you switch over to quail layer feed over a few days. Make sure fresh feed is always available, because the chicks eat lots of small meals spread throughout the day. Organic cracked maize only makes sense as a treat once the birds are bigger.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give quail chicks ordinary chick crumbs?
Chick crumbs for chickens are often too coarse for quail chicks and contain a little less protein. In an emergency you can grind them finely in a coffee grinder, but a dedicated quail chick feed is better. With it, the chicks grow more evenly and feather up faster.

How warm do quail chicks need to be?
In the first week quail chicks need around 35 to 37 °C directly under the heat source. After that, lower the temperature by a few degrees each week. If the chicks huddle under the lamp it is too cold, and if they avoid it, it is too warm.

When can quail chicks go into an outdoor enclosure?
At around three to four weeks quail chicks are fully feathered and can move to an outdoor enclosure in mild weather. A sheltered area free from draughts and damp is important. On cool nights an extra heat source is still a good idea at first.