BOBWHITE QUAIL CHICK EMERGANCY!!!!!

I need to find the problem and can't... I don't understand what I am doing wrong. These next chicks will be hatching this Wednesday and I still haven't found the problem. If they all die I have 20 eggs that I just set(because I didn't know what to do with them) and I don't know what to do, every time they die they are around 5 days old to 7 days old. This is ridiculous if I can't get these last chicks to make it I'm done with bobwhites.
 
If it isn't environmental (make sure the bedding is 95 F upon hatching) and it isn't nutritional (plenty of vitamins, protein and water) than it is likely some sort of virus, bacteria or parasite.

Here is from a link: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/154/bobwhite-quail-production-and-management-guide/

Disease Prevention, Sanitation, and Biosecurity Common Diseases The three most common diseases that occur with Bobwhite quail production are Quail Bronchitis, Ulcerative Enteritis, and Quail Pox; however, other diseases (Myoplasma, Botulism, Coccidiosis, and Capillaria worms) have also been problematic with quail.

Quail Bronchitis (QB) is caused by an adenovirus. Transmission is both vertical (through the egg) and horizontal (from bird to bird). Scientific evidence indicates QB maybe introduced by wild birds. Morbidity approaches 100 percent and mortality is frequently 50 percent, but it may be much higher. Once into a flock, QB spreads rapidly through a pen and from pen to pen. Generally, quail less than four weeks of age are severely affected. Birds over eight weeks may have a sub-clinical infection. Recovered or sub-clinically infected birds may be shedders of the virus. Clinical signs are increased mortality, depressed appetite, and rattling respiratory signs. Necropsy reveals white mucous fluid through out the body. There is no treatment for QB. The best course of action is good management. Increase the temperature several degrees to prevent huddling and possible suffocation. Add a vitamin/mineral pack to the water. Practice good biosecurity to minimize the chances of getting QB. Recovered birds may be kept until the following year and used for breeders. Typically, they will pass antibodies through the egg to the embryo.

Ulcerative Enteritis (UE) is probably the most common disease observed in quail. UE also occurs in young turkeys, grouse, pheasant and other gamebirds. The causative agent is a gram-positive bacterium known as Clostridium colinum. Clinically, birds diagnosed with UE lose body condition rapidly and become dehydrated and emaciated. Birds may sit with their heads drawn back and the back humped. The breast becomes thin, shriveled, dehydrated and has a razor-like edge. Lesions are found in the lower small intestine, cecal pouches and large intestine. Deep ulcers are visible through the unopened intestinal wall. Wear disposable shoes, garments and gloves should you visit another farm.

Quail Pox is a viral disease that gains entry to the non-feathered areas of the skin by minor abrasions or by mosquitoes. It enters via litter ingestion, minor abrasions to the upper digestive tract, and possibly swallowing infected tears. Fowl pox occurs most frequently during the fall and winter months. Fowl pox lesions are characterized as a raised, blanched nodule. The nodule enlarges, turns yellow and progresses to form a thick dark scab. Birds are vaccinated in the wing web at six to eight weeks of age. Elimination of mosquito breeding sites also helps control fowl pox. No specific treatment for fowl pox exists.
 
I need to find the problem and can't... I don't understand what I am doing wrong. These next chicks will be hatching this Wednesday and I still haven't found the problem. If they all die I have 20 eggs that I just set(because I didn't know what to do with them) and I don't know what to do, every time they die they are around 5 days old to 7 days old. This is ridiculous if I can't get these last chicks to make it I'm done with bobwhites.


Get rid of the pine shavings.The quail maybe ingesting them. Get some rubber shelf liner at the grocery or hardware store. Cut at least a couple of pieces to size that will fit the bottom of your cage. It can be changed daily, washed and reused. Temperature should be 95-98 degrees for the first week. Lower the temperature 5 degrees each week. After 4 weeks they should not require any more heat. 24% protein feed is still a bit low for Bobwhite chicks. 28-30% would be better. Supplementing with boiled egg yolks is a good idea. Good luck!
 
Well it can't be quail pox because they can't eat litter because the wood chips are too big and we don't have any mosquitos around right now. It's possible it could be UE but it's hard to tell because they are most likely talking about adult birds when I'm talking about day-olds. It is a possibility it could be QB but I'm unsure
 
Get rid of the pine shavings.The quail maybe ingesting them. Get some rubber shelf liner at the grocery or hardware store. Cut at least a couple of pieces to size that will fit the bottom of your cage. It can be changed daily, washed and reused. Temperature should be 95-98 degrees for the first week. Lower the temperature 5 degrees each week. After 4 weeks they should not require any more heat. 24% protein feed is still a bit low for Bobwhite chicks. 28-30% would be better. Supplementing with boiled egg yolks is a good idea. Good luck!


I already got rid of the shavings, I'll look into shelf liners. And I will defiantly feed them boiled egg as a side dish lol.
 
Is your feed game bird food? Chicken feed is different then game bird feed.

I'd wash everything with bleach. Brooder, feeders, water, & anything used. You may even wasn't to start with a new bag of feed. Wash your hands before touching anything related to them.

At this point of think being radical would be the least of my concerns.

It also looks like your eggs may be old. I'd try eggs no more then 7 days old. Bad eggs may hatch but the chick may not be long for this life.

Just trying to come from all angles at this point.
 
ive never had chicks before but it could be that one chick in the first group you had, had a disease and the "germs" from it stayed in the brooder you are using (if it is the same one). that happened with my hamsters that i had, so it could be a possibility. hope i could help!
 
Is your feed game bird food? Chicken feed is different then game bird feed.

I'd wash everything with bleach. Brooder, feeders, water, & anything used. You may even wasn't to start with a new bag of feed. Wash your hands before touching anything related to them.

At this point of think being radical would be the least of my concerns.

It also looks like your eggs may be old. I'd try eggs no more then 7 days old. Bad eggs may hatch but the chick may not be long for this life.

Just trying to come from all angles at this point.


But the eggs aren't old... I set them when some are barely 1 day old to 6days old I have never set eggs an any later than that
 
Is your feed game bird food? Chicken feed is different then game bird feed.

I'd wash everything with bleach. Brooder, feeders, water, & anything used. You may even wasn't to start with a new bag of feed. Wash your hands before touching anything related to them.

At this point of think being radical would be the least of my concerns.

It also looks like your eggs may be old. I'd try eggs no more then 7 days old. Bad eggs may hatch but the chick may not be long for this life.

Just trying to come from all angles at this point.


I already got new feed, yes it is gamebird feed. I still gotta clean their waterer though.
 

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