Determining what treats to feed your birds is quite easy. Usually, a bird will walk away from a feed it hates. But if they like it, there’s no way they’re turning back. Quails are in no way different.
Quails are relatively simple to care for. These birds are productive and useful, despite their appearance of fragility.
However, quails have a high level of pickiness when it comes to what they eat. They’d most likely be found munching grains.
They may, however, eat a wide range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, commercial food, and insects.
However, can quails eat oranges? Let’s see what we can find out.
Can Quails Eat Oranges
Quails can eat oranges. However, feeding oranges to quails is not advisable.
You might be wondering why Quails shouldn’t be allowed to eat oranges. For starters, this fruit is abundant in vitamin C.
Furthermore, these vitamins are quite useful to one’s health.
However, oranges are toxic and high in fructose. As a result, they tend to be harmful to quails. And so, quails do not benefit from oranges.
Therefore, as much as possible, oranges should not be considered as quail as treats.
Are you eager to find out more about the dangers of orange to quails? Keep reading.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on quails and feeding them spinach
What Are The Health Benefits Of Oranges For Quails
Oranges have numerous health benefits for the body. They contain a lot of vitamin C.
According to studies, every type of orange contains more than 100% of the daily necessary quantity of Vitamin C. When compared to other citrus fruits, this is quite high.
Vitamin C is well known for improving the immune system. They also aid the body’s defense against germs, illnesses, and viruses.
Vitamin C also protects cells in the body from harm.
However, it has been discovered that this fruit is toxic to quails. As a result, despite its high content, it does more harm than good to quails. Therefore, it is not advisable for them.
Surprisingly, this vitamin and many others can be found in other fruits that quail can eat, such as apples, pear, cucumber, etc.
We would look at some of these fruits and their health benefits to quails in a bit.
Quails, however, are not fond of oranges. Unless they’re particularly hungry, you’ll probably find them rejecting oranges.
If a quail is truly hungry, it will eat anything in sight, including oranges.
Quails, like humans, are aware of foods that are poisonous to them. And they also avoid such foods.
Aside from oranges, there are a few other foods that can be toxic to quails. Some of these foods include avocado, chocolate, grape seed, caffeine, raw potatoes, rhubarb, etc.
How Often Should I Feed Them Oranges
The high levels of toxicity in oranges are harmful to quails. Hence, it is not recommended to feed them oranges at all.
However, if you must feed quails oranges for any reason, do it in small amounts and on a less frequent basis.
Instead of oranges, alternative fruits that are safe and beneficial for quails include:
- Dragon fruit: This delicious, beautiful fruit comes in a variety of colors, including red, white, and yellow. Dragon fruits, like many other fruits, are high in vitamin C.
They are also high in antioxidants such as phenolic acid, flavonoids, and betacyanin. This component aids in the protection of quail cells against harm.
- Pear: Pears are mild, sweet fruits high in nutrients such as potassium and copper. Potassium aids muscular contraction. They are also beneficial to the heart of the quail.
Copper, on the other hand, aids in the enhancement of their immunity. Pears are high in folate as well. This improves the function of quail cells.
However, Pear is also high in calories and fructose. So, when feeding pear to your quails, don’t go overboard.
- Apples: Apples are also highly beneficial to quail. They have a protective effect on the pH of their intestine.
They also aid in acid-base balance issues. As a result, they can be utilized as a quail food supplement.
When giving apples to quails, however, measures should be followed. Ideally, you should feed your quail one apple every two days at maximum. That is if your quail love apples.
- Saguaro: Saguaro is another fantastic fruit that you can feed to quails. Quails may consume this fruit either raw or juiced.
One of the most notable characteristics of the saguaro is its high fiber content. It aids in the healthy functioning of the quail’s digestive system. It also helps them regulate their bowel movements.
- Cactus fruit: Cactus fruit is another fruit that comes in a variety of colors just like dragon fruits. They are well known for their antioxidant content, which is known to protect cells. They also lower the body’s harmful cholesterol levels.
- Grapes: Grapes are high in vitamins and minerals. They contain a lot of vitamin C and K. Vitamin K aids in the health of their bones. It also aids in the healing of wounds.
Other antioxidants found in them include beta-carotene, lutein, ellagic acid, quercetin, and lycopene.
- Cucumber: Cucumbers also contain a lot of vitamin C and K. Potassium, manganese, and magnesium are also found in them. Cucumbers also contain a lot of water. They are typically 96% water.
- Cholla: Cholla is high in calcium and pectin. Calcium aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones in quails.
It is also beneficial to the healthy operation of their nerves, muscles, and heart. Pectin, on the other hand, aids in the improvement of their digestive system.
- Watermelon: Watermelons make excellent quail treats. They have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and water. All of this is beneficial to quails.
Watermelon also has a high concentration of antioxidants. This aids in the prevention of cellular oxidation in quails.
Amazingly, it benefits their general health by boosting their immunity.
Related: Also check out this article I wrote on quails eating grapes
How Do You Feed Quails Oranges
We’ve established the fact that quails should not be given. Other treats can be considered for quails. We’ve listed a couple of them earlier.
There are certain things to consider while feeding quails. Let’s have a look at some of them;
First, quails should be fed grains and seeds, then vegetables and fruits, as well as commercial feeds.
The age and aim of rearing quails should be considered when feeding them. When feeding quails, remember to do the following:
1. Give them good food and plenty of water. The health of quails should not be jeopardized by compromising the quality of the food they are fed.
2. Maintain a clean and dry feed trough for the quail. This is to prevent mold from growing. Mold can lower the quality of the quail feed and, as a result, harm the quail when they eat it.
3. Make sure your quails are eating the right foods. Seeds, grains, vegetables, and fruits can be fed to quails, but you should be aware that some items are toxic to them. However, they can also consume hazelnut, oat, rice, corn, cake, and paste, among other things.
4. Every age requires a certain amount of food. So, you’ve got to ensure your quail is getting the right amount of food for their age.
Can Quails Eat Orange Peels
We have already established the fact that citrus fruits are no good for quails. And oranges and their peels are no exception to this.
Orange peels contain galacturonic acid which is considered toxic to quails. This in turn can shorten their life span and destroy the total wellbeing of the quails.
It’s is therefore advised that quails should not be fed with oranges peels.
Are Lemons And Limes Good For Quails
Lemons and limes are also under citrus fruits. And just like oranges they are equally acidic and are not considered appropriate for quails.
Are There Any Problems To Be Aware Of Before Feeding Them Oranges
Oranges are acidic as earlier stated and contain a large amount of vitamin C. This is therefore unhealthy for quail’s consumption.
Oranges also contain a large amount of fructose which makes them sugary and this is also considered unhealthy for quails.
Consuming oranges will tamper with the general well-being of the quails. Hence, it causes a short life span.
Can Quails Eat Orange Seeds
No, quails shouldn’t eat orange seeds as well. The bottom line is oranges and everything about it and inside of it is no good for quails.
Quails can eat other seeds like maize, millet, oat grouts, sunflower, and safflower seed. They also eat grains like barley, oats, and wheat.
Summary
Quails should not be feed with oranges. Their seeds and peels are not good for quails as well.
Quails however are not lovers of this fruit. Unless they are extremely hungry and have no other option, they would naturally reject orange.
Lemons and limes as well as other citrus fruits should be avoided by quails. Galacturonic acid is found in citrus fruits. These acids are toxic to quails and can cause lots o harm to them.
Therefore, it is important to keep citrus fruits away from fruits as much as possible.
