This is an older thread, and I am just seeing it- but for anyone else having problems...here is some info that may help.
1) Birds (most in general) are very low on the food chain and do not generally show signs of illness, injury or discomfort until it is "too late." Generally speaking; by the time you see them "puff up," they are already in their last stages. Watch them closely to notice sooner signs (movement, eating habits, "play," etc.)
2) With regard to them "fluffing up" being enteritis is tough to diagnose. Reason for it is that fluffing up, isolation, etc. are the MOST COMMON signs of illness/injury in birds. That being said, trying to assign one ailment to those symptoms is nearly impossible.
3) I agree with isolation of breeds. Game birds (in particular) are for lack of a better term....racist. They will pick out different breeds and pick on them, kill them and in many cases cannibalize them.
4) With regard to feeding them "layer" feed- the average layer feed is 16-18% protein. Game birds require a MUCH higher protein content than that. At the LEAST I would recommend a chick starter which is usually 18-22% but a game bird (specific) feed is absolutely recommended as they are usually 26-28% protein. What you may be seeing is the deterioration of these birds systems due to lack of nutrients and protein needed to sustain themselves.
That all having been said, it MAY be something else..but these are the first things I would consider.
We raise and process thousands of quail a year and these are the first things we look for. Hope this helps!
1) Birds (most in general) are very low on the food chain and do not generally show signs of illness, injury or discomfort until it is "too late." Generally speaking; by the time you see them "puff up," they are already in their last stages. Watch them closely to notice sooner signs (movement, eating habits, "play," etc.)
2) With regard to them "fluffing up" being enteritis is tough to diagnose. Reason for it is that fluffing up, isolation, etc. are the MOST COMMON signs of illness/injury in birds. That being said, trying to assign one ailment to those symptoms is nearly impossible.
3) I agree with isolation of breeds. Game birds (in particular) are for lack of a better term....racist. They will pick out different breeds and pick on them, kill them and in many cases cannibalize them.
4) With regard to feeding them "layer" feed- the average layer feed is 16-18% protein. Game birds require a MUCH higher protein content than that. At the LEAST I would recommend a chick starter which is usually 18-22% but a game bird (specific) feed is absolutely recommended as they are usually 26-28% protein. What you may be seeing is the deterioration of these birds systems due to lack of nutrients and protein needed to sustain themselves.
That all having been said, it MAY be something else..but these are the first things I would consider.
We raise and process thousands of quail a year and these are the first things we look for. Hope this helps!
