6 Quail Feeder Best Brands That Prevent Common Issues

You fill the quail feeder in the morning, and by afternoon, half the feed is mixed into the bedding on the floor. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s wasted money and an open invitation for rodents and pests. Choosing the right feeder is one of the most impactful decisions you can make to reduce your workload and keep your birds healthy.

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Choosing a Quail Feeder to Reduce Waste and Work

Quail have a natural instinct to "bill out" their feed, rapidly swiping their beaks side-to-side to find the tastiest morsels. This behavior sends feed flying everywhere, wasting a significant portion of every bag. A poorly designed feeder enables this instinct, costing you money and creating a mess.

The solution is a feeder designed to counteract this behavior. Look for features that make it difficult for quail to splash feed around. Deep troughs, narrow openings, feeding ports, or wire guards all serve to keep the feed where it belongs. This isn’t just about saving a few dollars; it’s about saving the time you’d otherwise spend constantly refilling and cleaning.

Your specific setup dictates the best feeder type. A feeder that works beautifully in a wire-bottom hutch might be a terrible choice for a floor-based brooder where chicks can kick bedding into it. Consider how you will fill it, how you will clean it, and whether it needs to be protected from rain. A little foresight here prevents a lot of future headaches.

RentACoop Feeder: Top Choice for Feed Waste Control

The RentACoop feeder is designed with one primary goal: to stop feed waste. It accomplishes this with a series of small, round feeding ports. Quail must stick their heads through a port to eat, making it physically impossible for them to engage in the side-to-side billing motion that slings feed everywhere.

This design is exceptionally effective, often reducing feed waste by over 90% compared to an open trough. The enclosed container also keeps the feed clean from droppings and debris, which is a huge benefit for flock health. They come in various sizes, from small quart-sized models for a handful of birds to large multi-gallon versions for bigger coveys.

The main tradeoff is the learning curve for very young birds. While most quail figure it out quickly, tiny chicks in their first week may struggle with the ports. For this reason, it’s often best to start chicks on a simple trough feeder for a week before transitioning them to a port-style feeder. Cleaning inside the ports also requires a bottle brush, adding an extra step compared to a simple open feeder.

Royal Rooster Feeder: Durable for Outdoor Setups

If your quail live in an outdoor aviary or a tractor exposed to the elements, the Royal Rooster feeder is a standout choice. These feeders are built from durable, UV-stabilized PVC and are designed to last for years in the sun and rain. Their construction is noticeably more robust than many indoor-only plastic feeders.

Like the RentACoop, Royal Rooster utilizes a waste-reducing system with feeding ports, but they add a crucial feature for outdoor use: a rain cover. This integrated shield extends over the feeding ports, preventing water from getting into the feed. Wet feed quickly clumps, spoils, and grows mold, which can be dangerous for your birds, so this feature is non-negotiable for any outdoor setup.

This durability and weatherproofing come at a higher price point. Royal Rooster feeders are an investment, better suited for a permanent, established flock than a temporary or experimental one. Their larger size also makes them a bit cumbersome for small brooders or compact indoor cages, but for a dedicated outdoor enclosure, their performance is hard to beat.

Ware Slide-Top Feeder: A Simple, Classic Design

The galvanized steel slide-top feeder is a classic for a reason: it’s simple, inexpensive, and easy to clean. You can find them in nearly any farm supply store. The design is straightforward—a long trough with a wire grill over the top and a sliding lid for easy refilling.

However, its simplicity is also its biggest weakness. Despite the wire guard, quail are masters at billing feed out of these open troughs. You will experience significant feed spillage with this design. The waste can be frustrating and costly over time, and it requires more frequent cleaning of the surrounding area to prevent pests.

So, where does this feeder shine? It’s an excellent choice for short-term, specific situations. It’s perfect for the first week in a brooder when chicks need the easiest possible access to food. It’s also useful for administering medicated feed for a limited time, as its simple construction makes daily sanitizing quick and easy. Think of it as a temporary tool, not a long-term solution for your adult birds.

Miller Little Giant Trough: Ideal for Young Chicks

In the first few weeks of a quail’s life, the right equipment is critical. The Miller Little Giant plastic flip-top feeder is a brooder staple. Its very low profile allows day-old chicks to easily access feed without having to climb or strain themselves, which is vital for getting them off to a strong start.

The key feature is the snap-on top with individual feeding holes. This design serves two important functions. It prevents tiny, clumsy chicks from sitting, sleeping, or pooping directly in their food, which is a major cause of illness in the brooder. It also moderately reduces the amount of feed they can flick out, though it’s not nearly as waste-proof as a port-style feeder.

This feeder has a clear and limited role. It is the perfect tool for the job from day one to about three weeks of age. Once the quail get bigger, they will easily empty this feeder and make a significant mess. At that point, it’s time to graduate them to a larger, more efficient feeder designed for juvenile and adult birds.

Kuhl Hanging Feeder: Large Capacity for Bigger Flocks

Once your flock grows beyond a dozen birds, refilling small feeders becomes a daily, and sometimes twice-daily, chore. The Kuhl hanging feeder addresses this with its large capacity. These bell-shaped feeders can hold several pounds of feed at once, dramatically reducing your refill frequency.

The design features a deep, circular pan at the bottom. By hanging the feeder so the lip of the pan is level with the birds’ backs, you force them to reach in for food. This posture discourages some of the most aggressive feed-wasting behaviors. While not as foolproof as a port feeder, a properly adjusted hanging feeder significantly cuts down on spillage compared to a ground-based trough.

Proper height adjustment is everything with this style of feeder. If it’s set too low, quail will still find a way to scratch and bill feed out onto the floor. If it’s too high, smaller birds won’t be able to eat comfortably. It takes a bit of trial and error to find the sweet spot, but for managing a larger flock with minimal daily effort, it’s an excellent option.

Farm-Tuff Top-Fill Feeder for Cage Versatility

For anyone raising quail in stacked wire cages or hutches, external feeders are a revelation. The Farm-Tuff Top-Fill Feeder is a prime example of a design that prioritizes keeper convenience and flock health. The feeder mounts on the outside of the cage, allowing you to pour feed in from the top without opening the cage door.

This system is incredibly efficient. It minimizes disturbance to the birds, which is especially important for laying hens, and it turns the daily feeding chore into a quick and simple task. Because the main feed reservoir is located outside the cage, the feed stays perfectly clean and free of droppings. The trough that extends into the cage is typically deep and narrow, providing good waste control.

The only real consideration is making sure it fits your cage. Before buying, measure the wire spacing on your cages to ensure the mounting hooks and trough will fit correctly. These feeders are specifically designed for wire enclosures and are not suitable for solid-walled brooders or open-floor pens. For the right setup, however, their convenience is unmatched.

Key Feeder Features for Healthy, Happy Quail

Ultimately, the brand name is less important than the design features that solve common problems. The single most important feature is waste prevention. A feeder that pays for itself in saved feed is a smart investment. Look for deep pans, high lips, feeding ports, or any other mechanism that keeps feed in the feeder.

Second, prioritize ease of cleaning. Feeders caked with old, damp feed and droppings are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and mold. A feeder that can be quickly disassembled, scrubbed, and dried is essential for maintaining a healthy flock. Avoid feeders with complex nooks and crannies that are difficult to reach.

Finally, match the feeder to your reality. Consider your flock size, your housing system, and your daily routine. A giant hanging feeder is overkill for six birds, and a tiny chick feeder is a constant source of work for sixty. The best feeder is the one that fits seamlessly into your specific system, saving you time, money, and labor in the long run.

A quail feeder isn’t just a container for food; it’s a tool for management. Choosing the right one is an investment that directly impacts your feed bill, your daily workload, and the overall health of your birds. By matching the feeder’s design to your specific needs, you set yourself up for a more efficient and enjoyable quail-keeping experience.