moved bobwhites from brooder... now dead!

[Birdman18]

Yesterday i spent the day getting my outside pen all cleaned up for my tenn. red quails and one pheasant to be moved from the brooder. Well, i was shocked to see that all of my tennessee red quails were dead, the pheasant was fine though. I just didnt understand why this had happened. The quails were well over 2 months old, i even left them in the brooder a few extra weeks to be sure they would feather out more and better take the elements outdoors. I thought of one possible reason they might of died, maybe the cooler weather got to them? But it wasn't really that cold last night here.

I'm very upset about this, they were amazing quails to raise and i was so happy to finally move them outdoors and give them more room. It's been a very long time i had bobwhites before and i was looking forward to raising these birds. Their gone now unfortunely, so theirs nothing i could do about it,but i want to figure out what i did wrong so it wont happen again. If anyone could let me know what i might of done wrong i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!!

 

[KellyHM]

If the temp in the brooder was a lot different than the temp outside the shock may have gotten them. They need to be moved to different climates gradually. Quail are too stinkin sensitive for me.

 

[farrier!]

So sorry to hear this. I had no idea they could not handle a change like that.....

Now I will be a bit more careful with the last batch I have that will be going out.

 

[skywatcher]

I do my best to keep wind off the quail & plenty of the straw bedding. My open sided cages get plastic stapled over them.

 

[silentrunning]

Even living in Florida I harden my quail off gradually. I put the brooder outside during the day for the last week and bring them back indoors during the night. They never go out untill they are at least 4 weeks old.

Doug

 

[Birdman18]

Thanks everyone for replying, i greatly appreciate it!!

I even had one side of the cage covered with plastic, i guess i have to be more careful next time. But what a shame i was really attached to those quail. Are northern bobwhites able to handle the outside changes better than Tenn. reds? I want to try again in the spring, i really miss having bobwhites around

.

 

[JJMR794]

Did They Show Any Signs Of Illness? Or Trauma? While They Are More Cold Sensitive Than Pheasants It Could Also Be That Mr Pheasant Had Such A Good Time Being Outdoors That He Beat The Quail A Lil Too Hard? Either Way I Am Sorry For Your Loss....

 

[Birdman18]

Quote:
Thanks JJMR794 for replying!
No, they didnt show any signs of illness or trama. I doubt that the pheasant had beaten the quails up i didnt see any signs of attack on the quails.
Thanks so much I appreciate it!!