NEW FEEDING REGIMES FOR IMPROVED PRODUCTION

For Coturnix coturnix Quail and Other Wild Birds such as Pheasants and Partridge

Combining my experience in animal nutrition and husbandry with extensive reading of recent nutritional developments, I am now manufacturing feeds based on a more advanced nutritional approach

These feeds are designed for high-performing quails and other wild birds such as pheasants and partridge, and have been incorporated into all the feeds I offer for sale

My objective is to maximise nutrient digestibility and utilisation using a carefully selected combination of quality feed materials and specific feed additives

I also utilise selected probiotics and prebiotics to support development of a favourable gut environment and encourage beneficial gut flora, while helping maintain the integrity and function of the intestinal lining

The formulations are also designed to support the enterocytes responsible for nutrient absorption and intestinal maintenance, while selected ingredients provide nutritional support for normal immune function

Four specialised feeding stages

I formulate the following feeds specifically for Coturnix coturnix quail

28% Protein BYF Quail Starter Feed
For young chicks requiring a highly concentrated and digestible diet during early development

26% Protein BYF Quail Grower Feed
For the rapid growth and development period following the starter stage

24% Protein BYF Quail Maintenance Feed
For mature birds that are not actively laying, including males and moulting birds

22% Protein BYF Quail Layer Feed
For laying females with the nutritional requirements associated with sustained egg production

These are the top-of-the-range BYF formulations and contain a range of nutritional additions beyond the standard Vitamin and Mineral Premix

Balanced amino acids and improved nutrient utilisation

The formulations include additional Lysine, Methionine, Threonine, Isoleucine and Valine to help balance the digestible amino acid profile of the diet

Rather than relying solely on the crude protein figure, the objective is to provide the bird with a more useful balance of available amino acids

Four specific feed enzyme activities are also incorporated to improve the digestion and utilisation of nutrients from the feed materials

These include Phytase, Beta Glucanase, Xylanase and Protease, together with Mannosidase activity to assist the utilisation of nutrients from different feed ingredients

The intention is to improve nutrient availability and feed utilisation rather than simply increasing the amount of protein or other nutrients appearing on the feed label

Vitamins, minerals and functional ingredients

The formulations also contain bioactive Vitamin D in the form of Hy-D, Vitamin C and Calcium Carbonate to support normal bone development, mineral metabolism and antioxidant function

Kelp meal, minerals and electrolytes are included as part of the overall nutritional package

Selected sources of protected Butyrate, Carvacrol and Thymol are included to support a favourable intestinal environment and help discourage the excessive proliferation of undesirable bacteria

Together, these additions are designed to complement the basic feed ingredients and Vitamin and Mineral Premix rather than relying on any single ingredient to achieve the desired result

Designed to support birds without routine antibiotics

The objective of these formulations is to give chicks and mature birds the nutritional foundation they need to start well, grow well and produce well

This is particularly important with very young chicks, including the tiny, bumble-bee-sized quail chicks, where rapid development places considerable nutritional demands on the bird

The same nutritional principles can also be valuable for mature birds experiencing periods of increased nutritional demand or environmental stress

The formulations are designed to support gut function, nutrient utilisation and normal immune function without relying on routine antibiotics

For me, this is the important difference between simply supplying a feed containing a specified percentage of protein and formulating a diet around what the bird actually needs to digest, absorb and utilise those nutrients effectively