Grains are an important part of the diet of domesticated fowl. They provide the fowl with an excellent source of carbohydrates and grains are typically high in fiber, which aids in digestion and absorption of other nutrients. Grains are also a good way to ensure that your fowl are receiving the necessary minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese.
Quails can definitely eat oats, as oats are a good source of complex carbs and fiber. Oats are also an excellent source of iron, potassium, proteins, and other minerals such as iron.
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Benefits Of Oats For Quails
Oat grains have a higher nutritional value when compared to other cereals. Oats contain high amount of fat, starch, protein and mineral salts.
The main minerals present are phosphorus, calcium and iron. The phosporous helps in the development of strong bones while the calcium helps in making strong eggshells. The iron strengthens muscles and improves feather growth. It is one of the reasons why you should feed your quails oats seeds.
Just like humans, quails need vitamins as well for their proper body functioning. Oats are rich in Vitamin E which is an antioxidant that helps battle against free radicals that cause most diseases including cancer. It also contains useful vitamins such as thiamin (Vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (B5), riboflavin (B2) niacin (B3), folic acid (B9) and Vitamin K which is needed for blood clotting process needed for healing wounds and for bone metabolism.
Feeding quails oats for the sake of vitamins is a popular way of supplementing their diet. However, this should not be the sole reason why you should feed your quails oats. Oats are also rich in fiber that helps with digestion.
Quails can eat oats with water and nothing else to survive on long periods of time during hard times when they cannot find enough food to eat. Oats have lower protein percentage which does not require much energy for digestion, thus it does not give off much heat and makes it a better source for colder weather conditions.
Quails can eat oats as soaked grains or you can sprout them as well (this is a healthy way since there will be lots of extra nutrients from the little plant). You can mix some cracked grains in their diet to give them variety and flavor to enjoy as well as help in their digestive system by passing through them easily without causing blockage or constipation problems.
Can Quails Eat Rolled Oats?
Yes, quails can eat rolled oats. Rolled oats are actually a combination of cut groats which are then steamed or rolled to make it flaky and easier for cooking.
You can mix rolled oats in their diet together with other grains such as cracked wheat, rye flour, and buckwheat groats.
Can Quails Eat Steel Cut Oats?
Yes, quails can eat steel cut oats. They have a softer consistency than rolled oats but similar nutritional content and can be mixed together with other grains if you want to give your quails a variety or different taste in their diet.
What Grains Are Good For Quails?
A good mix of various grains is always a good choice for quails, here are the most nutritious and tasty:
-Wheat: wheat is a good choice; wheat contains many nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
-Millet: they are an excellent source of protein, carbohydrates and fiber.
-Corn: but we should avoid feeding this too much because the birds may suffer from obesity.
-Barley: barley contains energy and protein, it is also a good source for vitamins B1, B6 and E.
-Sorghum: normally it is fed to dogs in the farms. Sorghum is rich in vitamin B complex and minerals such as phosphorus and iron.
What You Shouldn’t Feed Quails?
It is extremely important to know what to not feed to your quails in order to keep them healthy.
Here is a list of what to keep away from them:
-Avocado: It contains a toxin that can kill quails in relatively large quantities. There is also a chance that it will give them metabolic acidosis and serious problems.
-Citrus fruits: They contain oxalic acid which can cause a severe metabolic acidosis in your quail.
-Chocolate: Quails can get a toxic reaction to chocolate due to the fact that it contains theobromine.
-Coffee: Quails are susceptible to caffeinated foods due to their sensitive stomachs.
-Apple seeds: Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause serious metabolic acidosis in quail.
