What Do Button Quail Eat?
Button Quail Nutrition
What I Feed My Button Quail and Why I Changed My Feeding Program
Quick Look
Button quail need a complete, balanced feed designed for game birds or quail.
At Bryant's Roost, I feed Show Pro Starter and Show Pro Breeder exclusively.
I switched after seeing better feed acceptance than traditional gamebird crumbles.
Since changing feeds, I've been happier with fertility, hatchability, and chick survival.
Fresh, clean water should always be available.
Direct Answer
Good nutrition is the foundation of healthy button quail. While several commercial feeds can keep birds alive, I've learned that not every feed produces the same results in breeding birds. After changing my feeding program at Bryant's Roost, I saw improvements in how readily my birds consumed their feed, along with better fertility and healthier chicks. Today, I feed Show Pro Starter and Show Pro Breeder exclusively to my button quail.
Nutrition at a Glance
Feed I Use for Chicks: Show Pro Starter
Feed I Use for Adults: Show Pro Breeder
Fresh Water: Available at all times
Treats: Limited so they don't replace a balanced diet
Goal: Healthy breeders, fertile eggs, vigorous chicks
Why I Changed Feeds
When I first started raising button quail, I did what most people do—I bought a commercial gamebird crumble. On paper, it looked like the right choice. In the pens, though, I wasn't seeing the results I wanted.
The birds had more feather picking than I was comfortable with. Fertility wasn't where I thought it should be, and I lost more chicks than I felt I should after hatch. None of those problems alone pointed directly to nutrition, but together they made me start asking questions.
That's when Carey and I started talking. Rather than simply recommending another bag of feed, he formulated a breeder ration for me to try.
The Birds Made the Decision
One of my favorite stories to tell happened during that transition. Instead of forcing the birds onto a new feed overnight, I placed a cup of each feed in every colony. One cup held the gamebird crumble they had been eating. The other held the new Show Pro ration. I wanted to see what the birds chose when they weren't being forced one way or the other. They answered that question almost immediately. They cleaned up the Show Pro feed first. Then they went back looking for more.
Meanwhile, much of the gamebird crumble was still sitting in the feeder.
Sometimes we spend so much time reading feed tags that we forget to watch the animals standing in front of us. My button quail told me exactly which feed they preferred.
The Results I Saw
Changing feed wasn't a magic switch that solved every problem overnight.
Good management still matters. Clean water, proper housing, healthy breeding stock, and careful incubation all work together. But once I made the change, I became much happier with the overall performance of my flock. Fertility improved. The chicks were stronger. Early chick losses became less common. Even feather picking became much less of an issue. Because I changed only one major variable at a time, I felt confident that nutrition was playing a significant role in what I was seeing.
Why I Continue Feeding Show Pro
Today, every button quail at Bryant's Roost receives Show Pro Starter or Show Pro Breeder, depending on age and purpose. I don't continue feeding it because someone told me I should. I continue feeding it because my birds convinced me. When I find something that consistently produces healthier birds and better breeding results, I don't see much reason to keep experimenting simply for the sake of change.
Jennifer's Experience at Bryant's Roost
One thing farming has taught me is that the birds don't read the feed tag.
They don't know the guaranteed analysis.
They only know whether a feed meets their needs.
Watching my button quail choose one feed over another reminded me that observation is one of the most valuable management tools we have. Research gives us a starting point, but our own birds often tell us whether we're moving in the right direction.
That's why I pay so much attention to behavior. If something changes—whether it's appetite, feather condition, fertility, or chick quality—I start asking why instead of assuming that's just the way it is.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Choosing feed based only on the protein percentage.
Assuming every gamebird feed performs the same.
Changing multiple management practices at once, making it impossible to identify what improved.
Feeding too many treats that replace balanced nutrition.
Ignoring what the birds are telling you through their behavior and feed consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can button quail eat gamebird feed?
Yes. Many people successfully raise button quail on commercial gamebird feeds. I did myself when I first started. Over time, however, I found better results feeding Show Pro Starter and Show Pro Breeder.
Why did you stop using gamebird crumbles?
I wasn't satisfied with the amount of feather picking, fertility, or chick survival I was seeing. After changing feeds, I observed improvements that made me confident in switching permanently.
How did you compare the feeds?
I offered both feeds side by side in each colony and simply watched what the birds chose. They consistently preferred the Show Pro ration.
Do you feed treats?
Occasionally, but only in moderation. I want my birds getting the majority of their nutrition from a complete, balanced feed.
Do you sell the feed you use?
Yes. Because I've had such good results with it, I also make the same Show Pro feeds available through Bryant's Roost.
Related Articles
Complete Button Quail Care Guide
Button Quail Housing and Space Requirements
Incubating Button Quail Eggs
Preparing a Brooder for Button Quail Chicks
Common Button Quail Questions
Recommended Product
Show Pro Starter & Show Pro Breeder
These are the same feeds I use for my own button quail at Bryant's Roost. After comparing them directly against my previous gamebird crumble, my birds made the decision for me. They're now the only feeds I use for my breeding flock and growing chicks.
Buttons are busy little birds even as adults. They need high energy feed to keep up with their activity level. I was feeding generic gamebird layer for a long time but Show Pro Farm Supply customized a feed just for these guys and WOW what a difference! To let the birds decide, I have 2 cage cups in each breeder pen and I filled one with their normal feed and one with the new feed and they gobbled up every morsel of the feed instantly! I never opened another bag of the old stuff. My birds are happier, better feather quality and my hatch rates and chick vigor are super high now!
This non-gmo layer mash is all they need for a complete nutrition and they LOVE it! They eat about 5-6oz per week per bird. It is a mash which works really well for their small size. Free Shipping.
Try this custom feed and see the difference for yourself!
Sources
Bryant's Roost flock observations and feeding trials.
Current poultry nutrition principles for game birds and quail.
Manufacturer feeding guidelines for Show Pro feeds.
From Bryant's Roost
I don't recommend products simply because they're available in my store. I carry products that have earned a place on my farm first. My feeding program changed because I wasn't satisfied with my results, and my birds showed me a better option. If I ever find something that consistently outperforms what I'm using today, you'll read about that here too. My goal has always been to share what works—not just what's popular.