Quail feeding — norms and phases (eggs and meat)
A quail is a small bird with a fast metabolism, so it has a very high protein requirement — around ~24–28%*, clearly higher than a hen. We walk you through feeding stage by stage: starter feed for chicks, then phases depending on the direction — laying (egg lines, the Japanese quail) or meat (Pharaoh). We also show why fine feed particle size, constant water access and minerals for a strong eggshell matter. The figures are indicative*.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
A quail is small but eats at full tilt — it has a very fast metabolism and grows, or lays eggs, faster than its size would suggest. That is why the feed has to be concentrated and high in protein, and access to feed and water constant. This guide brings quail feeding into one place: from chicks to adult birds, separately for the laying and the meat direction. The broader picture is in the hub on quail farming, and related topics are developed in separate guides we link to along the way.
Why does a quail need more protein than a hen?
A quail weighs dozens of times less than a hen, but its metabolic rate is much higher — proportionally it eats and processes more. Egg lines (e.g. the Japanese quail) start laying very early, indicatively around week 6 of life, and lay almost daily, which is a heavy protein and mineral load. Meat lines (Pharaoh) grow fast to slaughter weight. In both cases feed with too little protein means worse laying or slower growth — which is why the target protein level is higher than for a hen. General nutritional background is also in the guide on layer feeding norms.
Where do the numbers in this guide come from?
Protein levels, phases and indicative values* are given on the basis of poultry nutrition guides and requirement tables (including NRC and IZ-PIB materials). Exact values depend on the genetic line, the direction of production, bird age, season and mix composition. Treat them as a starting point and always check the chick supplier’s recommendations and the feed label — it is the birds, the laying and the gains, not the table alone, that show whether feeding is set up well.
Quail feeding step by step
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1. Starter feed for chicks — the highest protein
Quail chicks are tiny and very delicate, and they grow at lightning speed, so they start on feed with the highest protein level — around ~26–28%* in the first weeks. The feed must be finely ground (crumbled, fine particles), because a small chick cannot handle coarse pellets. Set feeders and drinkers low and close, top up with fresh lukewarm water and make sure feed is always available. The first weeks of life are covered in more detail in the guide on quail rearing.
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2. Growth phase (grower) — matched to age
After the starter the birds move to a growth feed with slightly lower but still high protein. This is where the direction starts to diverge: birds intended for eggs are managed to grow calmly up to lay, while meat birds are pushed for fast weight gain. The particle size can be a little coarser as the birds grow, but still fine. Constant access to feed and water applies throughout. Mix composition and how to read it are explained in the guide on poultry feed mixes.
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3. Laying direction — layer feed and minerals for the shell
Egg lines (e.g. the Japanese quail) start laying early, indicatively around week 6, and lay almost daily. At that point they move to a layer feed: high protein kept up plus clearly more calcium and phosphorus to build the shell. Without access to minerals (calcium) the shell becomes thin and the eggs crack. A constant source of calcium next to the feed works well. The logic of layer feeding is similar to that for hens — see layer feeding norms.
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4. Meat direction (Pharaoh) — feed for fast gain
Meat lines, such as the Pharaoh quail, are raised for meat, so until the end of rearing they get feed high in protein and energy, geared to fast, even weight gain. Here it is not about laying but about getting the best use of feed in a short cycle. What matters is equal access of all birds to feeders, a fine particle size and weight control to assess whether the flock is growing to plan.
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5. Water, particle size and minerals — throughout the cycle
Regardless of phase and direction, three things always apply: constant access to fresh water (a quail drinks often and little, so drinkers must be numerous and clean), an appropriate fine feed particle size, and minerals — especially calcium for laying birds for the eggshell. It is worth organising feed and water supply on the farm systematically — the guide on poultry feeding systems covers it. You can calculate recipes and mix cost in the feed recipe calculator.
Quail feeding norms — what really counts
Indicative values* based on nutrition guides and requirement tables — always adjust to the line, the direction of production and the feed label.
Protein
A very high requirement, higher than a hen’s. Indicatively* starter feed for chicks ~26–28%, adult birds ~22–24% depending on the direction and line. Protein that is too low = worse laying in egg lines and slower gain in meat ones. Read the level from the feed label.
Phases
Starter feed (highest protein, fine particle size) → growth phase → target feed depending on direction: for layers (more calcium) or meat (for gain). Match the phase transitions to the birds’ age and behaviour, not just the calendar.
Particle size
Fine, matched to a small beak. Chicks get very fine (crumbled) feed; with age the particles can be a little larger, but still fine. Feed that is too coarse = quail pick and waste, worse feed use and an uneven flock.
Water and minerals
Constant access to clean, fresh water — a quail drinks often and little, so drinkers should be numerous and clean. In laying birds calcium (and phosphorus too) is key for a strong eggshell; with a deficiency the shell thins and eggs crack. A constant source of calcium next to the feed works well.
The most common mistakes in quail feeding
These mistakes come up repeatedly on quail farms — worth knowing before you set up feeding.
Hen feed instead of quail feed
The most common mistake is feeding quail ordinary hen feed. It has too little protein for a quail’s fast metabolism and often too coarse a particle size. The result is worse laying or slower growth and wasted feed. Quail need quail feed (or a dedicated mix) with higher protein — comparing compositions is easier with poultry feed mixes.
Protein too low — poor laying and slow growth
Skimping on protein shows immediately: in egg lines laying drops, in meat ones gain slows. Because a quail eats little per bird, “lean” protein feeding gives no real savings and ruins the result. Stick to the target protein level for the phase and direction, and calculate the mix cost in the feed recipe calculator.
No calcium for layers — thin shell and cracking eggs
Egg lines lay almost daily, which heavily burdens calcium metabolism. Feed without enough calcium (and phosphorus) quickly leads to a thin, brittle shell and lost eggs. Give layers a layer feed and a constant source of calcium next to the feeder. The same law governs laying hens — see layer feeding norms.
Feed too coarse and gaps in water access
Particle size that is too coarse makes quail pick at and waste the feed, and the flock grows unevenly. Gaps in water access (too few drinkers, dirty or air-locked lines) quickly spoil feed intake and results — a quail drinks often and little. Organise feed and water access systematically per poultry feeding systems.
Frequently asked questions about quail feeding
How much protein should quail feed have?add
Indicatively* quail need clearly more protein than hens: starter feed for chicks ~26–28%, and adult birds ~22–24% depending on the direction of production and the line. Read the exact level from the feed label and the chick supplier’s recommendations. Protein that is too low immediately lowers laying in egg lines and slows gain in meat ones.
Can you feed quail ordinary hen feed?add
It is not a good idea. Hen feed usually has too little protein for a quail’s fast metabolism and often too coarse a particle size for its small beak. The result is worse laying or slower growth and wasted feed. It is better to use quail feed or a dedicated mix with higher protein — you can compare compositions in the guide on poultry feed mixes.
How does feeding laying and meat quail differ?add
Up to the end of the growth phase feeding is similar (high protein, fine particle size). Later the directions diverge: egg lines (e.g. the Japanese quail) get a layer feed with extra calcium and phosphorus for the eggshell, because they lay almost daily. Meat lines (Pharaoh) get feed geared to fast weight gain until the end. The stages are covered in the “Feeding step by step” section, and the hub on quail farming ties it all together.
When do quail start laying and how does that affect the feed?add
Egg lines, such as the Japanese quail, start laying very early — indicatively* already around week 6 of life. That is the moment to switch to a layer feed: high protein kept up plus clearly more calcium and phosphorus to build the shell. Without it the shell thins and eggs crack. Preparing the birds for lay is also covered in the guide on quail rearing.
Why is feed particle size so important for quail?add
A quail has a very small beak, so the feed has to be fine. Chicks get crumbled, almost dust-like feed; with age the particles can be a little larger, but still fine. Feed that is too coarse makes the birds pick, waste feed and grow unevenly — feed use and flock uniformity are worse. Organise feed access per poultry feeding systems.
How do you plan and calculate a quail feed recipe?add
Start from the target protein and the phase (starter, growth, layer or meat), then pick the ingredients so as to hit that level. You can conveniently calculate the cost and composition of the mix in the feed recipe calculator, and the guide on poultry feed mixes provides background on compositions. Always check the label of the ready feed and the chick supplier’s recommendations.
Run feeding and the flock in DlaFerm.pl
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