- May 19, 2012
- 16
- 2
- 26
Hi, I've posted this in the quail section, but am posting it here too in hope that somebody might have a suggestion as to what to do with my new (naturally hatched) little quails. Thank You 
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/699605/broody-quail-and-raising-chicks-baby-pics
With regard to the above quail.....she's being a great mother and her chicks cant get enough of her cozy wings, but since yesterday, day 2 of their existence, often when they're out eating the hen will peck at the babies toes, somtimes lifting them with it. I can't tell if its because she's horrible or because she's been thinking theyre meal worms.....Anyway this morning I noticed one of the chicks was not putting any weight on one of its feet, and limping. The other 2 chicks' toes are quite pink
WE wanted to keep them all together as long as possible but if were risking it I'd like to take them away from the mother asap. Do you think she's really damaging her chicks, or will they be ok?? If anyone's had experience with a broody quail, at what point do they leave their chicks to do their own thing? Perhaps she doesn't want to be stuck in a rabbit hutch with her babies any more....?
other than the toes shes really quite gentle with her chicks, other than occasionally stepping on them.....
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/699605/broody-quail-and-raising-chicks-baby-pics
With regard to the above quail.....she's being a great mother and her chicks cant get enough of her cozy wings, but since yesterday, day 2 of their existence, often when they're out eating the hen will peck at the babies toes, somtimes lifting them with it. I can't tell if its because she's horrible or because she's been thinking theyre meal worms.....Anyway this morning I noticed one of the chicks was not putting any weight on one of its feet, and limping. The other 2 chicks' toes are quite pink
WE wanted to keep them all together as long as possible but if were risking it I'd like to take them away from the mother asap. Do you think she's really damaging her chicks, or will they be ok?? If anyone's had experience with a broody quail, at what point do they leave their chicks to do their own thing? Perhaps she doesn't want to be stuck in a rabbit hutch with her babies any more....?
other than the toes shes really quite gentle with her chicks, other than occasionally stepping on them.....
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
