I have 7 coturnix quail eggs hatching at the moment. They began popping out of their shells about 10 hours ago. 5 hatched normal and healthy, and are already running about the hatcher. The sixth one just hatched within the last 3 hours(while I was taking a quick nap) and doesn't look good. It is doing a perfect, and complete, split. The poor little guy has been trying desperately to get his legs under [him], but can't. I understand that this is called Spradle/Splay leg. I have heard of this with chickens, but I am new to quail raising. This is only my second hatch, but first ever Spradle-leg for any hatchling. (At least to this severity. I had one chicken chick that had a leg "bent" out a bit, but he improved on his own as he became more mobile.)
Is this condition genetic or just an anomaly? I will be using these birds in my breeding program and I don't want to pass down any genetic defects. If it is not genetic what are the survival odds for a hatchling in this condition? I also don't want the little one to suffer either. Here is a picture so you can see how bad it is.
Is this condition genetic or just an anomaly? I will be using these birds in my breeding program and I don't want to pass down any genetic defects. If it is not genetic what are the survival odds for a hatchling in this condition? I also don't want the little one to suffer either. Here is a picture so you can see how bad it is.
