The success of quail farming largely depends on the feeding practices adopted by the farmer. A common mistake many quail farmers make is feeding their birds with commercial chicken feed. This practice is fundamentally flawed and must be corrected for several reasons.

Quails and chickens have different nutritional requirements, particularly in terms of crude protein. For instance, at the chick stage, quails require a feed with a crude protein content of around 28%, whereas chickens only need 21%. This disparity continues through the grower and layer stages, where quails consistently need higher protein levels. Feeding quails with chicken feed, which is not formulated to meet their specific protein needs, can lead to severe consequences, including high mortality rates sometimes reaching up to 70% and poor growth and laying performance.

The effects of inappropriate feeding extend beyond just survival rates. Quails fed with chicken feed often exhibit uneven growth, reduced laying efficiency, and a shorter productive laying period, typically not exceeding six months. Additionally, quails may experience frequent molting, which greatly disrupts egg production.

While some farmers may argue that formulating quail-specific feed with higher protein content is costly, this perspective overlooks the long-term benefits. By providing quails with the correct feed, farmers can expect lower mortality rates, improved laying efficiency (often maintaining a rate of 63-68% over 300-320 days), and larger, more nutritious eggs. For breeders, proper nutrition also leads to higher fertility and hatchability rates.

The investment in proper quail feed is not only justified but essential for the sustainability and profitability of quail farming. By aligning feeding practices with the specific nutritional needs of quails, farmers can achieve better overall performance and economic returns in their operations.