Freezing temps w/ molting & injured quail

[shrimpsilkies]

Two of my hens lost their head feathers in a pecking incident last week and at least four are in a very naked stage of molt, wings + back are essentially bare. A few of them are shivering, and it’s going down to freezing tonight. Unfortunately the coop is also got a bit of damp soil, and of course they’re all clustered there to sleep. Is it worth it to bring the molting ones into a dry, slightly warmer garage for the night?

I would be less worried if they weren’t half naked. The male and the youngest hens all molted a month ago and are nice and warm in their winter down but the rest hung on laying till recently even though there was only about 10 hours of light a day!

 

[Nabiki]

Bring them in, especially if they're damp. Quail can handle freezing temperatures quite well, but only if they're dry and have shelter.

The fact that they're shivering also means that they're cold and should be brought it.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

Bring them in, especially if they're damp. Quail can handle freezing temperatures quite well, but only if they're dry and have shelter.

The fact that they're shivering also means that they're cold and should be brought it.

Yeah, I thought so, just wanted to avoid any stress pecking in an unfamiliar environment, although the main offender has been dealt with so I think it’ll be fine. At least it’s only cold for another couple days, the next warm spell should get the majority of them feathered. And some straw for the pen, the soil only stays damp if it’s rained for two days straight, which it has.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

This one immediately decided to take up the mantle of being a nasty little bird, so she’s in the house tonight! Everyone else is cuddled up in the garage.

 

[Quailobsessed]

I have the opposite problem! In January, I have to bring my quails inside because of the 48 degree heat.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

Two of my hens lost their head feathers in a pecking incident last week and at least four are in a very naked stage of molt, wings + back are essentially bare. A few of them are shivering, and it’s going down to freezing tonight. Unfortunately the coop is also got a bit of damp soil, and of course they’re all clustered there to sleep. Is it worth it to bring the molting ones into a dry, slightly warmer garage for the night?

I would be less worried if they weren’t half naked. The male and the youngest hens all molted a month ago and are nice and warm in their winter down but the rest hung on laying till recently even though there was only about 10 hours of light a day!

Sorry, I'm a little late to this, but in the future, you may want to consider making an elevated portion or box filled with straw. It is really important that quail have a warm, dry, draftless area to be at all times, and if you already know the soil gets damp you should have a way for them to be dry. I use bulk alfalfa hay, with about a three square foot elevated and insulated box they can climb into.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

Sorry, I'm a little late to this, but in the future, you may want to consider making an elevated portion or box filled with straw. It is really important that quail have a warm, dry, draftless area to be at all times, and if you already know the soil gets damp you should have a way for them to be dry. I use bulk alfalfa hay, with about a three square foot elevated and insulated box they can climb into.

Also, I ran into the same problem this early fall-we had a horrendous hailstorm while it was cold and my quail were molting-flooded the hutch and the poor dears were soaked! I had to put them in my bathroom for the night in a large dog crate and a heating pad. I still feel bad about it! Lol! None of them came out any worse for the wear!

 

[shrimpsilkies]

Sorry, I'm a little late to this, but in the future, you may want to consider making an elevated portion or box filled with straw. It is really important that quail have a warm, dry, draftless area to be at all times, and if you already know the soil gets damp you should have a way for them to be dry. I use bulk alfalfa hay, with about a three square foot elevated and insulated box they can climb into.

Yeah, I have a box that they dust bathe in. They love dusting and laying eggs there, but none of them want to sleep there, I’ll see if I can find something better.