Dying quail chicks

[CindyinSD]

I’m super new and just hatched this week, but I just wanted to add that I was planning to get a heat plate but found multiple threads with casualties from heat plates with quails because it isn't always close enough to warm them completely if the room wasn’t kept very warm also.

Yes, I think you may be right. They're supposed to touch their backs to the heat plate. In her photo, the chicks weren't touching it... if the room was warm enough that could be okay, but it's been cold lately, at least where I am...

 

[sarabeth485]

It is only 80 under the light and they seem cold. Do I need it closer?

 

[sarabeth485]

Moved it closer. Still act cold. About 85 now. They were much calmer with the heat plate.

 

[CindyinSD]

Put it closer.

 

[sarabeth485]

Getting calmer. About 90 now. Put the heat plate back too as an experiment.

 

[muddy75]

I haven’t read through the entirety of the thread yet....BUT....things to look at
1) are you grinding the feed
2) when you refilled water is is room temp to warm
3) has any water “wicked” out causing wet area of pellets around it??
4) were any of the deaths “runts” assisted hatches or malposition
5) are you absolutely sure that all chicks are leaving heat plate and eating/drinking regularly and then finding the heat successfully


i’ve had quite the experience with chick deaths and it is typically due to one or more of the above factors......I lost 3 “runts” this hatch most likely #4 and #5

 

[sarabeth485]

I haven’t read through the entirety of the thread yet....BUT....things to look at
1) are you grinding the feed
2) when you refilled water is is room temp to warm
3) has any water “wicked” out causing wet area of pellets around it??
4) were any of the deaths “runts” assisted hatches or malposition
5) are you absolutely sure that all chicks are leaving heat plate and eating/drinking regularly and then finding the heat successfully


i’ve had quite the experience with chick deaths and it is typically due to one or more of the above factors......I lost 3 “runts” this hatch most likely #4 and #5

Good thoughts. Feed is finely ground. Bedding is dry. Water would have been cooler than room temp but not cold - room temp now. Some were definitely runts or other hatching issues - one had boots on. I thought everyone was eating and drinking but I definitely didn’t track each individually.
I think I’m down to 10 out of 19 now. I’m sure they weren’t all runts or difficult hatches.
Very frustrating day.

 

[Witchy momma]

The feed in the picture is huge compared to mine. Mine is like lumpy corn meal and I squish it more. Also I keep there box over 90 degrees. Get a digital thermometer as well you are supposed to keep it hot like bator and then back it down little by little. If they are huddling they are to cold. Good luck.

 

[muddy75]

Good thoughts. Feed is finely ground. Bedding is dry. Water would have been cooler than room temp but not cold - room temp now. Some were definitely runts or other hatching issues - one had boots on. I thought everyone was eating and drinking but I definitely didn’t track each individually.
I think I’m down to 10 out of 19 now. I’m sure they weren’t all runts or difficult hatches.
Very frustrating day.

i totally understand and for me it seems the hatching is the “easy part” i’ve beat my head against the wall trying to figure out the “survival” my PF hatch for example.....I left DH and fam in charge of the brooder for 24 hours to accompany my Dad to a dental appointment and returned to catastrophic losses.....the losses continued following my return and moving them to larger brooder......I ended up with only a handful (approximately 1/3) making it to the aviary......
I had really poor survival rates in the beginning with heat plate alone.....I switched back to heat lamp for a while and have now added heat plate + heat lamp to shed brooder (they move out there around 1 week) my indoor brooder is ceramic reptile bulb

 

[sarabeth485]

The feed in the picture is huge compared to mine. Mine is like lumpy corn meal and I squish it more. Also I keep there box over 90 degrees. Get a digital thermometer as well you are supposed to keep it hot like bator and then back it down little by little. If they are huddling they are to cold. Good luck.

Do you mean the bedding maybe? Those are pine pellets. Food is in a dish and finely ground.