7 Day old Jap Chicks all Developing Leg Standing Problems

[JamieLangford4]

I have 5 Jap Quail chicks who were all developing well . They are being raised on non slip towels and leaf litter. On day 7 of life after hatching one by one over 24 hours they are all developing leg problems. First they walk with a penguin wobble, then it slowly develops till they cant stand, then when the are sitting the legs are back, front , sideways under them. They are still eating and drinking if put in front of them but basically they cant move. I splinted one and it ended up lying on its side and died.
They are being feed high protein game crumbles and very fine shell grit.
Help !!!!!!

 

[Binki]

Hey, okay they're too young to have oyster shell grit - that may be your problem :S

Is the game bird feed medicated?

 

[JamieLangford4]

Hi,

I only gave the grit once they got sick thinking their legs may lack calcium for strength. I am not sure if their feed is medicated or not but I have given them vit D supplement in the food as I heard it might be rickets??? I am in Australia so I doubt it.

 

[Binki]

What brand of feed are you using?

Is it "starter" feed or "layer" feed, etc?

What percent protein is it?

It should say on the bag whether or not it's medicated - that's very important :O

Can you speak to the person you obtained the quail from? Just throwing this out there but I've heard of genetic deficiencies and people having problems with their quail and they had to supplement some... It's not common but may possibly be your cause :O

 

[Binki]

Also, do you have chickens? Was the brooder used for any other animals? Important - how does their poop look?

 

[JamieLangford4]

Hi Binki,

Thankyou so much for your reply.
This is the first time the incubator has been used as was new.
Only other animal in the house is a rabbit.
I looked at the feed...layer/finisher with 23% protein
Doesn't say medicated from what I can see
Poop looked fine even right before they die which is one by one !

I am thinking genetics or food....given mums and dad are fine I am thinking food?????
Any advice would be great as I have another batch in the incubator and don't want to repeat the mistakes

 

[junebuggena]

Hi Binki,

Thankyou so much for your reply.
This is the first time the incubator has been used as was new.
Only other animal in the house is a rabbit.
I looked at the feed...layer/finisher with 23% protein
Doesn't say medicated from what I can see
Poop looked fine even right before they die which is one by one !

I am thinking genetics or food....given mums and dad are fine I am thinking food?????
Any advice would be great as I have another batch in the incubator and don't want to repeat the mistakes

What is the calcium level? Too much calcium can kill young birds.

 

[junebuggena]

And young quail need a protein level of at least 26%. You aren't giving them the proper feed, which can cause all sorts of problems. They need gamebird starter.

 

[JamieLangford4]

The sack doesnt say any calcium in the ingredients but does say lime...which is calcium I think but no amounts

 

[junebuggena]

The sack doesnt say any calcium in the ingredients but does say lime...which is calcium I think but no amounts

No guaranteed analysis?