I hatched seven of twenty eight shipped button quail eggs a couple of days ago. I think around eighteen made it to lockdown. Unfortunately two failed to thrive and one died today very suddenly (I believe she aspirated, because her entire chin was covered in fluid). Of the remaining four, three have very badly curled toes.
I had my mom turning the eggs while I was gone for a few days, and I told her she only needed to do it once a day. I knew that was cutting it close, but as I said, it was only for a few days. I thought I'd mention this, although it may not be relevant.
Hatch day came around and passed. My temperature is at 102.5 in my still air incubator, with two thermometers always in there, and another I use for testing as well.
They hatched two days after they were supposed to. A day after that I eggtopsied the remaining eggs. Five or six others had developed fully, but never pipped at all. One or two had pipped internally, but never continued, and I think there was one that was externally pipped but also failed to continue. The rest had been sketchy already, and most had stopped at day 2-3, or 5-7.
Anyway, the three chicks with curled toes, have been walking on their ankles, with their feet curled inward. The toes are rather stacked, but the chicks get around perfectly. I made them boots, but it is just SO hard to put them on such tiny feet. The ankle joints are relatively stiff at this point, although I do physical therapy several times a day to allow the joint to function.
Is it possible to wait a little while. continue the foot massages and then put the boots on when they're about a week old? At that point they're feet are a bit bigger and easier to work with. If it's not a good idea, does anyone have any suggestions?
It's really dark, but I'll try to get some pictures in a minute.
I had my mom turning the eggs while I was gone for a few days, and I told her she only needed to do it once a day. I knew that was cutting it close, but as I said, it was only for a few days. I thought I'd mention this, although it may not be relevant.
Hatch day came around and passed. My temperature is at 102.5 in my still air incubator, with two thermometers always in there, and another I use for testing as well.
They hatched two days after they were supposed to. A day after that I eggtopsied the remaining eggs. Five or six others had developed fully, but never pipped at all. One or two had pipped internally, but never continued, and I think there was one that was externally pipped but also failed to continue. The rest had been sketchy already, and most had stopped at day 2-3, or 5-7.
Anyway, the three chicks with curled toes, have been walking on their ankles, with their feet curled inward. The toes are rather stacked, but the chicks get around perfectly. I made them boots, but it is just SO hard to put them on such tiny feet. The ankle joints are relatively stiff at this point, although I do physical therapy several times a day to allow the joint to function.
Is it possible to wait a little while. continue the foot massages and then put the boots on when they're about a week old? At that point they're feet are a bit bigger and easier to work with. If it's not a good idea, does anyone have any suggestions?
It's really dark, but I'll try to get some pictures in a minute.
