New to Quail - Poop Analysis

[BA-quail]

Hey everyone, I'm new to raising quail and try to get an understanding of normal vs abnormal poop. I have 11 chicks, 2 weeks old. The photos show some.kf the variation in poop that I'm seeing. Any advice as to what's normal or not? I've read lots but haven't found many photos to compare to.

Thanks!

Beth

 

[Nabiki]

That first pic looks like cecal poop. All of the poop should not look like that, but it is normal to see them regularly. The second poop also looks like cecal poop, the third looks like a mix of cecal and normal. The next looks completely normal, the one after like a mix of cecal and regular. the last poop looks completely normal.

You will see some variation depending on what they're eating. If you start seeing green/watery poop, that means that the bird isn't eating. If you see foamy poop, that's normally for a sexually active male.

 

[Huntmaster]

Hey everyone, I'm new to raising quail and try to get an understanding of normal vs abnormal poop. I have 11 chicks, 2 weeks old. The photos show some.kf the variation in poop that I'm seeing. Any advice as to what's normal or not? I've read lots but haven't found many photos to compare to.

Thanks!

Beth
View attachment 3759844

Good luck with your Quail.

 

[007Sean]

That first pic looks like cecal poop. All of the poop should not look like that, but it is normal to see them regularly. The second poop also looks like cecal poop, the third looks like a mix of cecal and normal. The next looks completely normal, the one after like a mix of cecal and regular. the last poop looks completely normal.

You will see some variation depending on what they're eating. If you start seeing green/watery poop, that means that the bird isn't eating. If you see foamy poop, that's normally for a sexually active male.

DITTO!!!

 

[BA-quail]

That first pic looks like cecal poop. All of the poop should not look like that, but it is normal to see them regularly. The second poop also looks like cecal poop, the third looks like a mix of cecal and normal. The next looks completely normal, the one after like a mix of cecal and regular. the last poop looks completely normal.

You will see some variation depending on what they're eating. If you start seeing green/watery poop, that means that the bird isn't eating. If you see foamy poop, that's normally for a sexually active male.

Thanks! Appreciate the analysis. The concept of cecal poops is new to me so your comments are helpful in learning to distinguish the difference.

Foamy poop was mentioned as potentially coming from mature males, but I saw this one yesterday and my quail are only 2 weeks old. Thoughts?

 

[Nabiki]

What are you feeding them? A mature male will produce a poop with very white foam. That doesn't look "normal" but it doesn't look alarming either.

 

[BA-quail]

What are you feeding them? A mature male will produce a poop with very white foam. That doesn't look "normal" but it doesn't look alarming either.

Turkey/gamebird starter. Occasional mealworms. I haven't been able to identify any specific individual that seems 'off'.

 

[Nabiki]

They're a bit young for mealworms, so I wouldn't give them any more until they're 4-6 weeks old, but it sounds like you're feeding them well. I wouldn't worry about a single foamy poop.

 

[007Sean]

They're a bit young for mealworms, so I wouldn't give them any more until they're 4-6 weeks old, but it sounds like you're feeding them well. I wouldn't worry about a single foamy poop.

I use to give my prairie chicken chicks 1/4" to 1/2" mealworms breaded with crumbles to get them started eating crumbles, so a few mealworms aren't going to hurt them, as long as it's done in moderation.

 

[Cinch]

Definitely the treats in moderation at any age, and I would not feed any until after four weeks. We’ve hatched and raised a couple thousand Coturnix over the years and that’s normal for young quail. The game bird starter is 28-30% protein. Combined with the mealworms may be a little too much protein. Probiotic helps with most gut issues when only a couple weeks old.