Help! My wild quail chicks won't eat or drink!!!

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I thought quail had to be shown by its parents or foster chick to eat and drink all day or they'd die? My dad saved some one time and they refused to eat or drink until they died. They will take a lot of extra time and attention, good luck!

 

[Chip76]

My quail started eating and drinking as soon as they hatched. I think there may be something wrong if they aren't eating.

Are your babies active and running around? Do they seem happy or stressed or tired? Can you post pictures?

 

[Birdyfriend]

I'm guessing that they're California quail? I was in New Zealand in April, and I found it odd seeing California quail almost everywhere that I went. I also visited a grove of redwoods and felt right at home!

I second @Chip76 's suggestion of tapping at the food and water. That's how I teach my coturnix chicks how to eat and drink. Once one figures it out, the others follow.

i already tried ;( they still wont eat

 

[Birdyfriend]

My quail started eating and drinking as soon as they hatched. I think there may be something wrong if they aren't eating.

Are your babies active and running around? Do they seem happy or stressed or tired? Can you post pictures?

they seem fine, running around and everything

 

[Birdyfriend]

 

[Quailobsessed]

Can you post a picture of the cage setup? What's the temperature? If they're too cold they may not eat.

 

[maadroj]

Can you give them a live insect? As wild chicks I believe they mostly eat insects, and they may be triggered into chasing and eating it if they see one scuttle by. I hatched California quail and they ate their ground crumble pretty quickly, but they hadn't seen anything else before. When we brought them insects, their instincts kicked in right away and they excitedly chased their prey down. We caught a few local bugs like earwigs and bought bugs like mealworms and small crickets. The crickets we let loose in their enclosed brooder, but we had a few escapees.

 

[maadroj]

@Chip76 is right, they might not be eating due to injury. I hope they feel better and eat soon so they can make a full recovery.

Bravery and Courage