The last of my 7 button quail hatchlings to emerge on Friday morning has been struggling. Ironically, the second to last, a grayish one, seemed really weak when it hatched, and this one seemed strong, so I was initially worried about losing the grayish one. This one is pure soft yellow. It is small and was very weak beginning a few hours after hatching. It didn't really "perk up" like they normally do a few hours after hatching and start to eat or drink like it should. Instead, it just kind of either followed the other chicks around and tried to snuggle up to/under them, or it kind of just layed there looking pathetic. It mostly didn't open its eyes and actually I wasn't sure for a while if it wasn't blind. It also seemed to get a somewhat distended abdomen and had runny watery droppings soon after it hatched. Anyway, I did everything I knew how to do, including some force feeding, using electrolytes and vitamins, and giving it antibiotics. Keeping it at 95 degrees. om It has perked up quite a bit, and is now eating fairly well and drinking fairly well all by itself. It does keep its eyes open more than it did and runs around better. The abdominal issues seemed to have resolved. But, it still isn't up to the level of the rest of them, so I don't know if it will make it or not. If anyone knows anything else I can do, please let me know.
