How to Feed a Japanese Coturnix Quail

The Japanese coturnix quail is a popular dish, and quail eggs are also in demand. Quail farmers set up tiers of brooder cages for the youngest quail, and then as they grow older, they move to larger cage networks, living in a grid that can be six cages high, extending far out in both directions. Feeding coturnix quail can take quite a while on the larger farms.

Things You'll Need

  • Brooder cages
  • Quail layer
  • Breeder feed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your hatchlings quail starter until they are 6 weeks old. This feed has all of the nutritional elements that a young quail needs, and it is designed with the simplicity that their digestive systems require.

    • 2

      Purchase coturnix quail feed at your local feed supply store. When checking out the nutritional labels, make sure to select a brand that has at least a 19 percent concentration of protein game bird layer.

    • 3

      Mix in some wheatgrass into your bird's feed. Just adding an ounce of wheatgrass juice gives your feathered friend the same benefit as eating almost 4 lbs. of leafy, green vegetables would -- an entire smorgasbord of amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

    • 4

      Place the blended food in your quail's cage. For laying hens, you'll want to add ground oyster shell or limestone to provide calcium. Your adult quail will eat about 1/2 oz. of your blend each day. Put the food out once a day, and don't put a whole bunch in to feed the quail for a few days. Each day, check to see if new food is needed, and keep water available.