Newbie with chick question?

[sdquail]

Hi...Just purchased a few bobwhite chicks and some are having their nostrils pecked to the point they are bleeding. Any advice on why they do that and other than separating from the ones who arent being pecked, this a big deal as they get to be healed adults? Thanks in advance!

BL

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

Oooh, that doesn't sound good.

Bobs are the junkyard quail, and they beat up on each other until they all are dead. Do they have enough space? Food and water? Good heat? These are just some things to check to make sure that they are not fighting, even if you may not see them actually going at it.

When I had a problem with this, I used a red light instead of white, maybe that helps?

 

[JJMR794]

Bob are mean lil suckerz.... THe abuse will continue through adulthood tho it does decrease greatly with maturity and spikes each yr through mating season. As far as chicks go-- 1. THEY MUST HAVE LOTS OF SPACE---- figure 20 sq yds per bird and add 10 ft for good measure--- lol, just kidding but they do require way more space than most other breeds 2. OBSERVE--- chronic observation may reveal 1 bully in the crowd running around nippin innocent folks for no reason other than pure enjoyment 3. RED HEAT LAMP-- helps reduce pecking. 4. FREEZE THE LIL SUCKERZ--- drop the temp in your brooder by a few degrees--- DO NOT CAUSE CHRONIC HUDDLING, but get close! --- if they are too warm they get irritable and more aggressive. Seems as tho its hard to peck your buddy george's nostrils off if your too busy trying to get and stay warm... 5. IT GETS WORSE-- nostrils are 1st, soon it will be feet/ ankles. As white confections so aptly put it.... "they are the junkyard dogs of the quail world..." 6. PROTIEN/FEED-- they need GAMEBIRD STARTER not chick starter and a high protien 28-30% NEVER EVER EVER FEED MEAL WORMS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF WORM TO BOB WHITE CHICKS--- this greatly encourages the foot/ ankle nipping. Avoid this until mature. They may heal from the nostril damage, but foot/ ankle damage usually proves more debilitating.