Quail dying in brooder...

[bkmdano55]

Hi, all. New member and first time hatching quail (Ca Valley quail). Hatched 15 quail over a 4 day period ending 7/29-8/1 and over the past 7-10 day period I have lost 9 quail. They appeared healthy and vibrant, were eating Manna's 20% game bird feed (ground up in a food processor) and drinking. Temp at 95 deg to start and adjusting down to 90 deg or so. Kept inside the house and using a heat lamp aimed at one corner of the brooder box (cardboard box with 1/4 in mesh wire at that end. Paper towels on bottom and changed daily. Cannot figure out what is wrong and why I am losing these chicks. Called the supplier for advice and she quizzed me on everything and could not come up with anything I was doing wrong. People say it takes several tries at it, but I hesitate to try again if I don't know what I am doing wrong...Help!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Sorry it’s not under better circumstances. I find quail extremely difficult to get eating & drinking as well as chicken chicks do. Did they all seem to be doing this ok?

Do you think there could be a genetic issue with them that’s causing them not to thrive? I’m not knocking your supplier by any means but sometimes parent bird health/age and egg quality can have an affect on offspring.

 

[le_bwah]

I'm sorry you're losing chicks, that's rough. Have you owned quail before? If not, valley quail are a bold choice for a first time; they need lots of space, and are less personable than the more domesticated species like Coturnix. If you're not sure about your brooder temperature, you should look at what the birds are doing. Are they bunching up under the light (cold), avoiding it (hot), or spread out evenly and active (comfy)? Their actions can tell you more than a thermometer.

The next thing I would look at is feed. 20% is low for young quail, who typically need at least 24% feed (higher is better). Purina makes a 30% feed, if you can get your hands on it. Quail grow fast, so need lots of protein to build mass--if they aren't getting enough, they die more easily. If you have extra sources of protein (cooked egg yolk, ground up meal worms, etc.), I would try adding those to their diet until you can find a higher protein feed.

How are the chicks behaving? It would help if you could give us more details, even pictures of your setup.

 

[naf_appaz]

20% gamebird feed? Sounds like very low protein. Chick starter is usually 22%. The game bird I use for my quail is 26% I think it is Nutreena....

 

[bkmdano55]

I'm sorry you're losing chicks, that's rough. Have you owned quail before? If not, valley quail are a bold choice for a first time; they need lots of space, and are less personable than the more domesticated species like Coturnix. If you're not sure about your brooder temperature, you should look at what the birds are doing. Are they bunching up under the light (cold), avoiding it (hot), or spread out evenly and active (comfy)? Their actions can tell you more than a thermometer.

The next thing I would look at is feed. 20% is low for young quail, who typically need at least 24% feed (higher is better). Purina makes a 30% feed, if you can get your hands on it. Quail grow fast, so need lots of protein to build mass--if they aren't getting enough, they die more easily. If you have extra sources of protein (cooked egg yolk, ground up meal worms, etc.), I would try adding those to their diet until you can find a higher protein feed.

How are the chicks behaving? It would help if you could give us more details, even pictures of your setup.

 

[bkmdano55]

Thanks for the replies...I chose CA Valley quail because that is what we have here in CA. I keep an electronic thermometer probe that hangs in the corner of the box and that is where the main focus of the heat lamp is...they do tend to bunch up there despite the temperature hovering at 95-97 for that first week...but other times they will run around and they all eat and drink well. Even with the one that died last night, I observed it eating and drinking, so I don't think that is the issue. I did add ground mealy worms after a couple of days in the brooder to supplement, but after the first die-off, I quit as I wondered if that was the cause. I can send a pic later of my set-up when I get off work...Ordered the eggs from Stomberg's...

 

[lomine]

I also think 20% is too low. I don't know exactly what a Valley quail would need but image it would be around the same as a Cot.

What kind of bulb are you using? I ask because some regular bulbs have a teflon coating. The coating makes a fume when heated that is deadly to birds.

 

[bkmdano55]

I also think 20% is too low. I don't know exactly what a Valley quail would need but image it would be around the same as a Cot.

What kind of bulb are you using? I ask because some regular bulbs have a teflon coating. The coating makes a fume when heated that is deadly to birds.

I am using a 250 watt heat lamp bulb...

 

[lomine]

I am using a 250 watt heat lamp bulb...

Like the kind sold at the feed store? That is safe so you can rule that out.

I would try upping the protein then and see if you can stop your losses.

 

[bkmdano55]

Like the kind sold at the feed store? That is safe so you can rule that out.

I would try upping the protein then and see if you can stop your losses.

Yes, like the kind at the feed store...I will give them more ground mealy worms to up the protein level. Thanks!