Getting baby Valley quail to eat?

[ChristineR]

How do you get these little guys to eat? They seem healthy, but I don't think they're eating. They're 3 days old, I think.

 

[rlchatham]

For newly hatched quail, I put crumbles in blender first. Then, I sprinkle some of these crumbles on the floor leading to the front of the feeder on the opposite end of the brooder box. When they get hungry they will find it. I don't really think I need to sprinkle it on the floor, but at least it makes me feel better. Just make sure that the food and water are low enough and can be accessed easily until the grow older.

 

[ChristineR]

For newly hatched quail, I put crumbles in blender first. Then, I sprinkle some of these crumbles on the floor leading to the front of the feeder on the opposite end of the brooder box. When they get hungry they will find it. I don't really think I need to sprinkle it on the floor, but at least it makes me feel better. Just make sure that the food and water are low enough and can be accessed easily until the grow older.

Okay. I used a colander to strain the crumbs and put them in a little pile on the floor. They don't seem to be eating it, though. Are they typically eating by day 3?

 

[Ntsees]

At day 1 they should already be eating, but first and foremost they need to drink. Valley quail are wild birds and so they might not recognize the crumble feed you give them as food. There is one thing that will make them eat, and it's live insects such as tiny/small meal worms.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I also give them finely mashed boiled eggs. And I often hatch Coturnix at the same time, so they see them eating.

 

[ChristineR]

Unfortunately, mine died, but I will use this info in the future.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Unfortunately, mine died, but I will use this info in the future.

Oh no, I am so sorry! I save the fine feed left over from the bigger birds and give it to new hatch babies. I hope you have better luck next time.

 

[Ntsees]

Unfortunately, mine died, but I will use this info in the future.

Sorry to hear. Should you try again, I also recommend what CapricornFarm said. Baby coturnix chicks will make things easier by teaching what the young valleys should eat and drink. Otherwise, the valley chicks are left with their instincts, and their instincts will tell them to go after things that are small and moving.