What to Feed Coturnix Quail (and Common Mistakes to Avoid)
Feeding your Coturnix quail right is one of the biggest keys to keeping them healthy, happy, and laying strong. These little birds have pretty specific needs at every stage, and once you get their diet right, you’ll notice stronger growth, steadier egg production, and just plain healthier birds.
I’ll walk you through what to feed your quail, from tiny hatchlings to full-grown layers, and how to skip the common feeding mistakes that trip people up.
Why Nutrition Matters for Coturnix Quail
Good nutrition is what keeps Coturnix quail strong and thriving. These fast-growing birds are constantly burning energy, so they need a diet packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep up with how fast they grow and lay. When you get their diet right, you’ll see better egg numbers, faster growth, and fewer health problems.
Growth and Development
Coturnix quail reach maturity in just 6–8 weeks. Much quicker than many other poultry. To support this rapid development, chicks need a high-protein diet during their early weeks. Without the right nutrients, you might see stunted growth, a weakened immune system, or poor feather quality. Making sure your chicks get plenty of protein early on sets them up to grow strong and healthy.
Egg Production
For adult quail, a balanced diet is directly tied to their egg-laying performance. They need plenty of protein to produce strong, healthy eggs, along with extra calcium for robust eggshells. When nutrition falls short, you might notice a drop in the number of eggs or issues like thin-shelled eggs that are more prone to breaking. By keeping a close eye on their diet, you can maintain a steady, high-quality egg supply.
Overall Health and Longevity
Beyond growth and egg laying, proper nutrition keeps your quail active, with shiny feathers and strong immunity. A well-fed covey is more resilient to stress and environmental changes, so your birds stay healthier and live longer. It’s amazing how much a small diet tweak can change how your covey looks and acts.
Feeding Coturnix Quail at Different Life Stages
As your quail grow, their dietary needs evolve. You’ll need to tweak their feed as they grow, depending on whether you’re raising them for eggs, meat, or just because you enjoy having quail around.
Feeding Quail Chicks (0-6 Weeks)
In the first few weeks, quail chicks need a high-protein diet to support rapid growth. Use a game bird starter feed with 28–30% protein and make sure it’s finely ground or crumbled so the chicks can eat it. I use mash for the first week, but if you can’t find it, just crush up crumble. It works just as well.
- Frequency: Quail chicks should have access to food at all times (free-choice feeding).
- Water: Keep their waterers shallow and always full of fresh water. They grow fast and dry out just as quickly. Healthy chicks don’t need electrolytes. Save them for times of stress, shipping, or heat waves when birds (young or adult) truly need the boost.
Feeding Growing Quail (6-8 Weeks)
As your quail grow out of the chick stage, their feed needs change a bit. Around 6 weeks, switch them to a grower feed with about 20-22% protein. This helps sustain their rapid development as they prepare for maturity.
- Frequency: Continue with free-choice feeding during this phase to ensure they receive all the nutrients they need for continued growth and eventual egg production.
Feeding Adult Quail (8+ Weeks)
Once your quail start laying, they need a balanced diet that keeps them fueled and supports steady egg production. Adult quail typically do best on feed containing 17-20% protein.
- Calcium: For laying birds, extra calcium is a must. Offer crushed oyster shells or cuttlebone free-choice alongside their feed. This supplementation helps ensure strong eggshells and supports overall health.
- Frequency: Free-choice feeding remains key to preventing nutritional deficiencies and promoting consistent egg production.
What to Include in a Balanced Diet
A successful feeding program relies on the right mix of nutrients from both commercial feeds and natural supplements. Here’s what I’ve found works best.
Commercial Game Bird Feed
A good commercial game bird feed is the base of any solid Coturnix quail diet. These feeds are mixed to give your birds the right balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Always double-check the label to be sure the protein matches the stage your birds are in.
- Starter Feed (for Chicks 0-6 Weeks): Use game bird starter feeds that offer 28–30% protein, such as Purina Game Bird & Turkey Starter or Manna Pro Gamebird/Showbird Starter. If you can’t find game bird feed locally, turkey starter makes a solid backup.
- Grower/Finisher Feed (for Quail 6+ Weeks): For growing quail, select feeds with 20–22% protein, like Purina Game Bird Maintenance or Mazuri Game Bird Maintenance. For layers, opt for feeds with 17-20% protein and added calcium, such as Kalmbach Gamebird Layer.
- All-Purpose Game Bird Feed: A balanced option like Mazuri Gamebird Breeder Formula or Scratch and Peck Feeds Naturally Free Organic Layer provides about 20% protein, ideal for quail with higher nutritional demands.
If you’d rather take a more hands-on approach, you can mix your own quail layer feed using basic ingredients. It’s a great way to customize nutrition for your covey and stretch your feed budget. You can find my step-by-step guide here: how to make homemade quail feed for layers.
Chicken Feed for Laying Hens
If all you’ve got is chicken feed, don’t panic. You can make it work with a few tweaks. Chicken feed generally has lower protein levels than quail feed, so supplement with protein-rich additions:
- Mealworms: These are high in protein and a favorite treat for quail.
- Boiled eggs: Cooked quail or chicken eggs are an excellent source of protein.
- Fish meal: A protein-packed supplement that can be mixed into the feed.
That extra boost keeps your quail on track for good growth and strong egg production.
Fresh Greens and Healthy Treats
Quail love fresh greens. They add a little extra nutrition and keep things interesting. Try offering small amounts of spinach, kale, dandelion greens, and lettuce (skip iceberg… it doesn’t offer much nutrition). Just wash and chop them first so they’re easy for your quail to eat. For more ideas on healthy, safe treats, check out my post on Safe Treats and Foraging Foods for Coturnix Quail.
Protein Supplements
When your quail are molting or laying hard, add a little extra protein with mealworms or boiled eggs. They give a little boost without overdoing it. To learn more about the importance of protein in quail diets and how it affects their health, visit my post on The Importance of Protein in Coturnix Quail Diets. Supplementation should be done in moderation; too much extra protein can lead to imbalances and health issues.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best setup, things can go sideways if you’re not paying attention. Here are a few things that can cause trouble and how to fix them.
Overfeeding Treats
While treats like mealworms or fruit add variety, overfeeding them can lead to nutritional imbalances. Treats should make up no more than 10-15% of the total diet. Too many treats might mean your quail miss out on the essential nutrients found in their main feed, so just keep it balanced.
Using the Wrong Feed Without Supplementing
If you rely solely on chicken feed without additional protein, your quail may not get all the nutrients they need. This can lead to poor growth, reduced egg production, and other health issues. Always supplement chicken feed with extra protein sources if it’s your only option, or better yet, switch to a feed formulated for game birds.
Not Providing Enough Water
Fresh, clean water is vital for quail health. Dehydration can lead to a decline in egg production and overall vitality. Make sure waterers are always full, clean them regularly, and provide water in shallow containers to prevent spills and contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get a lot of questions about what quail can and can’t eat, so let’s go over a few of the most common ones.
Yes, quail can eat grains like corn and wheat, but they should only make up a small part of the diet, as grains are lower in protein.
Yes, organic feed can promote healthier birds by reducing exposure to pesticides and additives, though the key is always to ensure balanced nutrition.
They can eat certain vegetable scraps and greens, but avoid anything processed, salty, or fatty.
Yes, mixing feed types can offer a well-rounded diet. Just make sure the mix still hits the right protein, vitamin, and calcium levels for the stage your quail are in.
Look for slow growth in chicks, reduced egg production, dull or poor feather quality, and overall lethargy as potential indicators of nutritional deficiencies.
Feeding your Coturnix quail the right diet is essential for raising a healthy, productive covey, whether you’re in it for the eggs, the meat, or just the joy of quail keeping. By choosing a balanced commercial feed, supplementing when necessary, and avoiding common pitfalls like overfeeding treats or using the wrong feed, you’ll have a healthy, productive covey in no time. A little attention to what they eat goes a long way. Better growth, stronger eggs, and a covey that just looks and feels healthier.
If you’re looking to dive even deeper into your quail feeding routine, there are plenty of simple ways to tweak your feeding routine. Learn how the nutritional needs of quail change from chicks to adults, so you can tailor their diet at every stage. If you’re feeling DIY, learn how to mix your own homemade layer feed for a budget-friendly, made-for-your-birds option. And for those times when you want to add a little extra variety, check out fun ideas for safe treats and easy foraging options that will keep your birds happy and healthy.
In the end, a thriving covey really comes down to consistency (and maybe a little creativity) in how you feed them. Happy quail-raising, and here’s to many years of delicious, homegrown eggs!
