New babies can't see!

[Ricky Crawford]

I just hatched a group of white bobwhites and some Butler bobwhites. I had a good percentage hatch, but a number of them can't open their eyes. I have used a Qtip and warm water and tried to pry their eyelids apart. I can see small eyeballs when I pull the eyelids apart, but they close again. The babies leg are stiff and they of course can't stand up. Some have started walking around, but still fall over. What has happened and is there anything I can do? I have tried to bend and work the legs, and it has helped some of them for a while. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[JJMR794]

Are They Kinda Slick --- Like The Downy Fuz Is Glued Down?

 

[Ricky Crawford]

Thanks for replying. No, they are all fluffed up and look normal otherwise. I haven't seen this before. They are all from the same breeder, so didn't know if that was a clue. I hatched other quail at the same time that show no problems.

 

[JJMR794]

idk..... MAYBE SOME SORT OF ILLNESS PASSED THRU THE EGG? I CANT REMEMBER HEARING OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT....

DID YOU CONTACT THE BREEDER? MAYBE ITS SOMETHING THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

 

[Ricky Crawford]

That's what I m thinking. Possibly a genetic problem. I just hatched more Tennessee Reds and they are healthy and very active.I hatched some Scaled quail last night that were next to the ones with problems, and I had trouble catching them for the brooder. They are the wildest little quail I have hatched. All the ones with blindness are from a different breeder. Thanks for your reply.

 

[JJMR794]

Maybe Not Genetic, There Are A Few Illnesses That Are Transmitable From Mother To Egg

 

[SunsetRider]

JJMR794,

I had some that looked like the downy fuz was glued down. They did not make it...! What was that? I thought I took them out of the incubator too soon.