Feeding and lighting

In short

• Protein: chicks 24–28 %, growers 20–22 %, layers 20 % (18–22 %). Layers' feed for hens (16–17 %) is too weak.
• If you can't get quail feed, use turkey or game bird (pheasant) feed.
• An adult bird eats roughly 25–30 g a day, about 10 kg (22 lb) a year.
• Calcium in layer feed 2.5–3 %, plus limestone grit or oyster shell on the side. Never layer feed for young birds.
• Light 14–16 hours a day, never more than 17. Add it in the morning, on a timer, and never cut it suddenly.
• Greens at most 10 % of the ration. No kitchen scraps, for legal and health reasons.

What's inside

Chapters

1. How much and what they eat
2. Protein and calcium by age
3. Bought feed and substitutes
4. Your own mix from week three
5. Greens, seeds and insects
6. Water, grit and calcium
7. Light: why and how much
8. Setting up the light
9. Rest without light
10. Feeding and light through the year
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Feed and cost calculator
• Ration recipes
• Month-by-month lighting plan
• Feed and egg diary
• Stocks and buying
• Feeding and lighting calendar