Is this pecking? Or is it the new feathers coming?

[SweetieChicken234]

I don't actually see blood or bleeding but the down is missing under the wing? It just doesn't look good.

 

[Nabiki]

How warm is their brooder? Do they have a warm end and a cool end?

It looks more like the down has fallen out or been worn away. Given the location, it's not likely to be pecking.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

How warm is their brooder? Do they have a warm end and a cool end?

It looks more like the down has fallen out or been worn away. Given the location, it's not likely to be pecking.

I have a brooder plate for them and they come and go as they need. I have like 3 feeding stations and a big water. I clean their paper towels twice a day because they get yuck fast. I've never seen this with chicken chicks so I'm a bit confused as to what is going on. I haven't seen any others peck at it.

 

[Nabiki]

It might be the brooder plate. What is the temperature on the ground under the plate?

It looks to me like the chicks are over heated. A heat lamp gives them a choice of varying temperatures while a brooder plate is either the temp under the brooder or room temperature. If it's too warm under the plate they can lose down and feathers.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

It might be the brooder plate. What is the temperature on the ground under the plate?

It looks to me like the chicks are over heated. A heat lamp gives them a choice of varying temperatures while a brooder plate is either the temp under the brooder or room temperature. If it's too warm under the plate they can lose down and feathers.

That's interesting.. the other 19 have no issues. Just this one chick. The other side of the brooder isn't heated and they can go to the other side if need be to cool off. I can also raise the brooder plate up and keep the heat further away from them if need be. I don't use heat lamps because of the fire risk.

I checked under the brooder and it says 88.3F under there.

 

[Nabiki]

88.3 is pretty cold for new chicks.

If this is the only one with the bald patch, then it's probably unique to this one. It might be preening too much, or it just might be slow to develop. Keep an eye on it, but you probably don't need to worry too much unless it's not developing or growing as fast as the rest.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

88.3 is pretty cold for new chicks.

If this is the only one with the bald patch, then it's probably unique to this one. It might be preening too much, or it just might be slow to develop. Keep an eye on it, but you probably don't need to worry too much unless it's not developing or growing as fast as the rest.

I don't know if quail chicks are similar to chicken chicks with temperature or not. Chicken chicks need 95 the first week and 90 second week. These quail are eating and drinking very well. Seem to be happy. Growing incredibly fast. If I saw them hiding under the brooder constantly I would be concerned but they are out running around. No loud peeping. Happy chatter while eating.

I don't see any sign of them being too hot or too cold. That one chick is actually growing on the bigger side of them. I'm just really confused with it's down.

 

[Nabiki]

It sounds like you know how to listen to the chicks. They are the ones who will tell you if they're hot or cold. From your description, they are comfortable.

The general rule is high 90s to start, then gradually lower the temp. By 3 weeks, they're comfortable with room temperature, so if they're inside you can take them off of the heat. Each hatch can be a bit different, though, so do what you're doing, and watch their behaviour.

I have seen chicks with bald patches like that before under the wings. It's usually temporary, and oddly enough, seems to happen more often on white chicks than any other colour. Since we've pretty much eliminated the usual suspects for bald patches, I would just watch it. Quail chicks grow very fast. You will usually see feathers starting to develop on their wings in as little as three days.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

It sounds like you know how to listen to the chicks. They are the ones who will tell you if they're hot or cold. From your description, they are comfortable.

The general rule is high 90s to start, then gradually lower the temp. By 3 weeks, they're comfortable with room temperature, so if they're inside you can take them off of the heat. Each hatch can be a bit different, though, so do what you're doing, and watch their behaviour.

I have seen chicks with bald patches like that before under the wings. It's usually temporary, and oddly enough, seems to happen more often on white chicks than any other colour. Since we've pretty much eliminated the usual suspects for bald patches, I would just watch it. Quail chicks grow very fast. You will usually see feathers starting to develop on their wings in as little as three days.

I'm very familiar with hatching and brooding chicken chicks but these are my first quail so this is experience with a different but similar animal. I'm learning as I go.

I like the brooder plate because they can run under as they need it or come out to cool off. I put feed bowls right near it just in case they are cold they can still eat while under relative heat. I see them out and about more often so I've been moving the water away slowly towards the corner. Day 1 I had water right under the brooder plate. As they grow I can raise the plate up so they don't have that heat right on top of them. With chicken chicks I usually raise it each week. We will see with the quail how comfortable they are as they grow.