Problem with Coturnix Chicks

[ccoomber]

Hi All,

I have 7, 2.5 week old Coturnix chicks. this the second lot i have hatched and raised so still very new, and falling over many hurdles! LOL. Anyway, i've notice that 2 of my darker chicks (range and wild type), have almost completely bald backs with only a few quills poking through. All the others (2 x pied, 1 wild and 2 x golden) are fine and fully feathered on there backs. I am not aware of any bullying and plucking but this probably doen't mean it's not going on. They are fed chick crumbs (I've just today starting adding ground kitten food to increase protein), have a good supply of fresh water they are on wood shavings and still have a brooder light on them. I haven't done anything different this time that i didn't do last time except i only had 4 last time! I am aiming to get a breeding group, is there something wrong with these guys should i not keep them for breeding? Please have a look at the pics and let me know what you think?

Thanks Cindy (Be nice I'm learning as quick as i can!

)

One of the affected chicks:

Their set up:

 

[ChickFila]

I am also quail newbie, so cannot help, but it is a very nice brooder.
Where did you buy it?

 

[DLS]

?maybe getting pin feathers?

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

I would say no... they could have a little tuxedo or golden in their background?

I wouldn't sweat it!

 

[Bettacreek]

It looks like feather picking. You won't always catch them in the act, but that doesn't mean that it's not being done. I am at a loss as to WHY they would be feather plucking. I've never actually seen the back feathers plucked on coturnix, it's usually on the heads. Good luck, sorry that I couldn't be of more help... I've just never seen it to that extent on a coturnix.

 

[Resolution]

Ask your feedstore if they have Babycakes. This stops feather picking straight away and boosts the immune function of chicks.

 

[ccoomber]

Quote:
Its an indoor guinea pig run! Just added light source!

Here in the UK we don't have useful stores such as feed stores! The closest we get is SCATS, which is not that great. So no sure if i can get 'babycakes'!

 

[kenazzo2000]

i have got a male without feathers on his back but he still has alot of fertile eggs made he s one of the best