Need advice, lost 2 quail this week.

[Bil]

I'm fairly new to quail, I've only been raising them since June. They have been doing great, but this week I have found 2 dead in their cage (same cage for both of them).

Only thing that has changed is I moved their cage from sitting on hay bales to up above the ground. They have the same feed and water, just new location.

They are outside, but under a very low overhang, surrounded by hay and up against a wall on the back and one side (hay bales on the other side). They also have some hay stacked about 5 feet in front of them protecting them from any wind.

Before I had them on the hay with their cage raised (about 2 inches) over a piece of plywood so the droppings could fall. I would clean off the plywood every week or so. Now they are open on the bottom. It has been colder this last week (in the upper to mid 30's) but they are now completely open on the bottom.

Do you think the cold is what has caused the 2 deaths? They have all been eating and drinking normally. I've thought about covering them with a blanket at night to help keep in some heat.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Bil

 

[quailbrain]

Sounds OK. It could have been the cold. Could something possibly have scared them into flying up and hitting their head?

 

[JJMR794]

Idk Bill..... Mid To Upper 30's---- They Should Be Ok With That Temp Even With An Open Bottom Pen. Any Signs Of Illness? Breed/ Age?

 

[Bil]

Quote:
Maybe, something from underneath could have scared them. Since before nothing could have gotten under them and tried to jump up at them from below. They are now about 28" off the ground so something could get under them. I'll rake out the dirt under them tonight and then I'll be able to see any foot prints around them.

Quote:
No signs of illness that I've seen. They look healthy, no loss of feathers, eyes look good, no fighting between the quails, all seemed good.

They are coturnix and are around 7 months old.

Thanks!

Bil