Quails are little goofy, non-migratory birds that are usually found in woodland, large open spaces, and bushy places. Most people love to keep these pets as poultry as they are highly reproductive.
These domicile birds are super active and keep the owner busy all the time. If you have a quail in your backyard, you might love its antics and the cricket-chirping sound, but when it comes to feeding. What are the choices?
Green leafy vegetables like arugula are pumped up with tons of nutrients that are vital for human health. But, can quail eat arugula?
To find the answer to your query read below!
What Is Arugula?
Arugula is also known as rocket salad which belongs to the mustard family. It has an aromatic, peppery taste which adds a bright flavor to salads. This green vegetable originated in the Mediterranean regions. This pungent leafy green vegetable resembles lettuce whose mature seeds are edible.
Other plants of this family include Brussels sprout, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Is Arugula Safe For Quails?
Quails can eat arugula, and yes, it is entirely safe for quails to consume it. Like most of the green vegetables that are not only safe for quails but also beneficial, arugula is one of them.
Quails are very picky eaters, if they haven’t tried arugula before, mix it with their regular diet to develop taste. There is a high chance that your backyard pet will love arugulas because they are fond of eating other veggies from this family.
Nutritional Value Of Arugula
Arugula is not only famous for its taste but also for the number of minerals and vitamins it contains. This delicious green vegetable is high in fiber and low in sugar, calories, fat, and carb, which automatically makes it suitable for quails.
If we talk about 100 grams of raw arugula it contains:
- Fat – 0.7 grams
- Carbs – 3.7 grams
- Sodium – 27 mg
- Protein – 2.6 grams
It is best if you feed raw arugula to your quails as it is the healthiest option. Cooking will only cause nutrients to become less effective. The reason behind this is that, while cooking, we tend to add ingredients that are not good for avian creatures.
So, instead of earning benefits from the vegetable, it can harm your quail.
Health Benefits Of Arugula For Quails
These greens have a nutritious punch that has multiple health benefits for quails. Let’s have a look at the essential minerals, and vitamin arugula contains and what health benefit it provides:
Calcium:
Calcium is required in sufficient quantity by quails. A baby quail needs 0.8% of the calcium in their diet, and a laying quail needs 2.5% of this vital mineral.
It is the main constituent of eggshells. It is also necessary for strengthening bones, dental structure, and muscle and nerve function as well.
Potassium:
Potassium is vital for healthy nerve functions that transmit from the brain to different parts of the body and vice versa. It also maintains high blood pressure in quails which is caused by a high intake of sodium.
Not only this, but potassium also helps in muscle contraction. Quails are quick and active birds and run around freely in open spaces. Therefore, an adequate amount of potassium in their diet will prevent muscle spasms and cramps
Magnesium:
It also contributes to the healthy growth of quails. Apart from that, magnesium also helps in feather formation and bone formation.
The deficiency of magnesium in birds can cause adverse effects on their growth as well as the eggs. The egg size reduces, weight drops, and the size of the yolk also shrinks.
Folate:
Vitamin B complex comprises folate and Vitamin B-12. They help in the formation of red blood cells that transports oxygen to different organs. Folate also helps in the repair of tissues and cells.
Vitamin C:
The vitamin B-complex works with vitamins to make new proteins in the body. It is also an excellent source for protecting against diseases and building strong immunity. If your regular quail food has iron in it, vitamin C will help in the absorption of iron from the food.
High doses of Vitamin C have been shown to promote quail growth and more outstanding egg production in Japanese breeds.
Vitamin K:
It helps in blood clotting so that during injuries, blood does not flow excessively. Vitamin K is also good for your bones and prevents osteoporosis.
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A helps in better eyesight, hearing, maintenance of epithelial cells, and good skin condition.
Deficiency of vitamin A can cause poor eyesight, hearing problems, and problems in the linings of respiratory and digestive tracts.
Are Arugula And Spinach The Same?
Arugula and spinach belong to two different regions. The former comes from the Mediterranean region while the latter is from ancient Persia.
The nutritional content of both these leafy green veggies Is the same.
The macronutrient structure is the same. However, there are huge differences when it comes to vitamins. Arugula contains five times more vitamin B5 than spinach. At the same time, spinach has three times more Vitamin A, E, K.
In terms of nutritional value, there is not much difference, but the taste of arugula does not resemble that of spinach. Still, quails will love both of these vegetables equally.
Conclusion:
Arugula is not a common vegetable; most of you might not know about it. If somehow you got your hands over this veggie and you are not sure if it will benefit your quails, then the answer is yes.
Quails love eating green vegetables. Raw arugula is best for quails as they will get the most advantage out of it. Not only humans but birds and animals also need minerals and vitamins for their better health.
There are a lot of fruits and vegetables out there which are beneficial for us but are lethal for birds like quails. In the end, it is your responsibility to feed the best diet to your quails so that they grow healthy and give high-quality eggs as well.