Gambel Quail and temperature

[banana-jana]

Hi, my son built an incubator and hatched 10 little Gambels and one duck. We have lost 4 of the quail, some were much smaller than the rest. We live is south texas and it is about 93 outside. We have them inside with a lamp at about 90 degrees. They are a week old, and we are feeding game starter. Is there anything else we can do so more of them do not die? We have plenty of food and water for them and clean their brooder out daily. The little duck is fine, we are used to raising ducks but not quail. Thank you for all who helped with the incubator building..he did really well for a first hatch.

 

[dc3085]

The waterer should be totally full of marbles to the point that they can't get wet even if they walk on them. Not sure if you've done this or not.

During the day you will want to turn off the heat lamp or turn it down as ambient temps rise. Right now on my 3 week olds they are getting the light for only a few hours during the day because it is so hot. Their brooder has a door that opens out so I open it and cover it with screen. If the temp gets above 95* I run a fan on them on low.

How hot is it under the light? It is really easy to get 110-115* under the lamp and that'll nuke the little guys if it's going on.

What's happening to the chicks that die? (eg. runny poo, problems walking, gasping, etc)

 

[banana-jana]

I just fed and changed water and another quail looks weak, breathing hard, and noticed it is smaller than the other 5. We hatched 10 and down to 6. We have done everything we were told to do. Game bird starter, small water..so they don't get wet, 90 degrees...they are 6 days old..any help?? Our Bob Whites did fine..

 

[dc3085]

How are they acting before they die aside from being weak?

Have you given them probiotics? Gambels and valleys get probiotics from their parents feces, if they can't, you have to add it for them. Either an avian product like probios or a human probiotic capsule broken up in their water, or even yogurt mixed in their water. I'm sorry I forgot to ask this earlier.