Do quail chicks sit?

[QRandle]

It’s been 7 days since most of our quail hatched. Of the 12, only three remain. Today was brutal.

I noticed though that they always stand. Is this normal?

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

Gosh that's awful, what happened? I'm so sorry. I just hatched quail for the first time , they seem to sit alot so far, but are only 1 day old...

 

[RosieR]

Sorry about your losses
Do you know what the cause was?
I find my quail either stand or sprawl. I was quite shocked to learn quail flop over like fat little puppies.

 

[QRandle]

These were wild California Valley quail we incubated after the momma was injured, then died, from a trimmer line accident.

There are now two alive, with one of those failing.

I don’t know what is going on. I would suspect that disease but they haven’t been exposed to any dirt. There were incubation issues as we didn’t know when momma laid them. After her injury, she went off the nest. Then our auto egg turner wasn’t turning properly.

Thry seemed to be eating and drinking. No pasty butt.

 

[RosieR]

I don’t have specific experience with that type.
Brooder heat is good? Feed is crushed up tiny enough for them? I have to put mine in a blender or food processor for the first week or so.

 

[le_bwah]

These were wild California Valley quail we incubated after the momma was injured, then died, from a trimmer line accident.

There are now two alive, with one of those failing.

I don’t know what is going on. I would suspect that disease but they haven’t been exposed to any dirt. There were incubation issues as we didn’t know when momma laid them. After her injury, she went off the nest. Then our auto egg turner wasn’t turning properly.

Thry seemed to be eating and drinking. No pasty butt.

Sorry they aren't making it. What sort of food have they been getting? As far as I know, game-birds have pretty rigorous dietary requirements.

 

[QRandle]

Yes. It’s the Purina Game bird crumbles with increased protein 30%. I blended it in the blrnder. The brood box has been 90 degrees on one side and 80 on the other. It measures about 24” x 30”. They were/are a week old today.

 

[le_bwah]

Yes. It’s the Purina Game bird crumbles with increased protein 30%. I blended it in the blrnder. The brood box has been 90 degrees on one side and 80 on the other. It measures about 24” x 30”. They were/are a week old today.

Then it sounds like you're doing about everything you can. Sometimes little animals just don't make it.

 

[JaeG]

Has that been the temperature from the start or have you reduced it? New World Quail should start on 97F. If they aren't warm enough they can't digest their food properly. I'd raise the temperature to try and get your weak one feeling a bit better. Fingers crossed.

I'm sorry you've lost so many - it's always tough to lose them.