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Failure to thrive/runt?

LosMolinos

In the Brooder
May 24, 2023
10
14
27
Hi everyone. New to hatching conturnix quail. Hatched twice before with shipped eggs, only 3 out of 12 hatched both times. All the birds normal & regular brown. The older ones started laying at 6 weeks. This time I used local eggs, 18 out of 20 hatched. They are 6 days old. Sadly Crazy legs died yesterday, I think it also had internal deformities. Ended up with a variety of colors. Have 1 solid yellow little guy, no markings, which I didn’t think was a normal color. He’s not growing like the others. The rest weigh 21-29 grams, he only weighs 9 grams. I separated him today because I was worried he would get trampled. Maybe it was too late because now he shakes, like bird seizures. I have him in a little container alone with a warm rice sock, give him a few drops of the chick electrolytes & he was eating unassisted. Honestly, should I have my husband put him out of his misery or just let nature takes it course? Do you think he has something genetically wrong with him? Is his solid color an indication of that?
 

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Is it my imagination, or are that one's eyes a bit bulgy? Have you taken a good look at them to see if they're red? It might be an albino, in which case, it is likely to have a lot of problems and will probably be kinder to cull.

The symptoms you're describing don't sound like it has a good chance, but it's up to you whether to end it or let nature take its course. Personally, I would end its suffering.
 
Just hatched a batch and had 1 runt I was sure would die on day 2. Left him with the rest because I've never had good results with separating them. I think emotionally they're more likely to give up when left by themselves. It's day 5 and it's still a runt but I'm pretty sure it will live.

I think as time goes on I've become more accepting of a whatever happens happens approach. Some birds just aren't able to thrive regardless. Nature has its way. Celebrate the birds you have. You had a great hatch rate with this one.
 
I'm new to quail too and dont know all those q's, but the solid yellow turns into a solid white. It's called Pearl coloring. I also had a pearl with a black dot on its head and a white wing pied, all which started yellow with some to no marks
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Figured I’d update incase anyone was wondering. Little yellow bird is surprisingly still alive. He was looking pretty rough again today though, warmed him up, gave him electrolytes, & now resting in its own container with warm rice sock. I think he fell in the waterer. He is up to 11 grams while the rest are 30+ grams. He’s growing tiny little white pin feathers. He seems slow but not uncomfortable. How he’s still alive is beyond me.
 

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Is it my imagination, or are that one's eyes a bit bulgy? Have you taken a good look at them to see if they're red? It might be an albino, in which case, it is likely to have a lot of problems and will probably be kinder to cull.

The symptoms you're describing don't sound like it has a good chance, but it's up to you whether to end it or let nature take its course. Personally, I would end its suffering.
Its eyes do look bulgy, one is worse than the other. I think when it gets dehydrated they look worse. It started eating tonight & pooped so either it’s on the mend or it’s rallying before it dies.
 

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Little Yellow Bird unfortunately didn’t make it. He was down to 8 grams today at 8 days old while its hatch mates are all over 35 grams. He died while I was holding him in his rice sock so he didn’t die alone. I’m in my 40’s with 2 kids in college & a surprise baby that is 10 months old, yet still sad about Little Yellow Bird dying. This hobby sucks
 
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