Jumbo Quail chicks suddenly dying at 2 weeks old

[gander007]

I've just caught the sick chick having a poo, it was like water, but light brown. Diarrhea?

He's drinking a lot.

After you give them the sugar water this will come normally as they will be drinking more
and it will be cleaning them out so do not get worried and some Probiotic from a local
feed store will not hurt and you can put the Probiotic and sugar in the water at the same
time as the sugar really helps them drink like pugging alcohol in med's so you do not
spit it out is all you are doing ........


gander007

 

[spikennipper]

Hi sorry to hear about your quail, I too am in the UK, Two things that stick out in your posts are the quails being outside at 2 weeks old in a run during the day and feeding them quail mix, the temps are far too cold for 2 week old quails to be outside even briefly, this would have chilled them. Also what are the ingredients and protein level of the quail mix? quail should be fed on chick crumb until they are fully grown, it is still fine to feed them chick crumb even when they are adults, I have only ever fed mine on chicken chick crumb and they have been fine, although turkey crumb is even better, do you have a pic of your set up too? my first time hatching quail was difficult as well and I made a fair amount of mistakes until I started to learn what they required and gained experience with them so do not worry, I now brood my quail in a big lidded plastic box with a Brinsea Brooder at the lowest level so they were closer to the heat and fed crushed chick crumb and water with marbles in for at least a week, after this time they are unlikely to drown in their water and can eat the bigger crumb, maybe look up the Brinsea brooder, far better and cheaper to run than a heat lamp

 

[spikennipper]

Hi sorry to hear about your quail, I too am in the UK, Two things that stick out in your posts are the quails being outside at 2 weeks old in a run during the day and feeding them quail mix, the temps are far too cold for 2 week old quails to be outside even briefly, this would have chilled them, also what are the ingredients and protein level of the quail mix? quail should be fed on chick crumb until they are fully grown, it is still fine to feed them chick crumb even when they are adults I have only ever fed mine on chicken chick crumb and they have been fine although turkey crumb is even better, do you have a pic of your set up too? my first time hatching quail was difficult as well and I made a fair amount of mistakes until I started to learn what they required and gained experience with them so do not worry, I now brood my quail in a big lidded plastic box with a Brinsea Brooder at the lowest level so they were closer to the heat and fed crushed chick crumb and water with marbles in for at least a week, after this time they are unlikely to drown in their water and can eat the bigger crumb, maybe look up the Brinsea brooder, far better and cheaper to run than a heat lamp

 

[GD91]

Ah, now this is where it gets interesting...

The quail started being sick after 2 things:

A) they were outside 2 days prior to the first chick dying.

B) they were switched to quail mix 2 days prior to dying also.

It doesn't say what the protein content is on the bag but I have the ingredients:


White Milletseed

Jap Milletseed

Red Milletseed

Chickcrumbs

Pinhead Oatmeal


I was such a moron letting them go outside

know never to do that again.

I'm glad I did a thread actually because this thread is becoming very informative thanks to everyone responding.

The good news is that sick chick is acting much steadier on its feet & is a bit more active since I added the sugar water & egg yolk.

 

[gander007]

Yes my Grandpa called egg's and sugar water a homestead remedy so it has been around for a good long time glad to
know it still works

......

Please keep us informed on how things are improving or going down hill

........



gander007

 

[TwoCrows]

Also, make sure you are not using cedar shavings. They are deadly to all poultry.

Keep them warm, feed them well and they should do fine. You may lose a few still yet, but if you get a hold of this now, you should have some left.

Your first hatch is always a big learning experience. This is how we all learn and if you stick with it, you will be an old pro eventually.

 

[GD91]

I don't use bedding, I use folded dog blankets on the floor, They are easy to just shake off & wash at boiling temps & the chicks like snuggling them.

 

[GD91]

Gander007 I may owe you

My quail chick has not gone any further downhill... he is stuffing his face with egg yolk, cheeping & drinking the sugar water & is perky & steady on his feet. Still not great & still fluffed, but there is certainly massive improvement.

Its now 9pm, normally he would have drifted further downhill by now like the other 2 did & be listless.

 

[TwoCrows]

I am so happy the little guy is ok.

 

[GD91]

Right, well its been nearly 24 hours & he's got a noticeable weight gain now. He felt very weak & frail this morning, now I can actually feel his weight.

Still active & eating & drinking, being normal now.

I wish I'd posted sooner, I could have saved the other 2 chicks

but I spent two days just researching BYC because I didn't want to post a thread if I could find the information.

I've had about 8 hours sleep in 3 days just worrying over them.