Quail Losing Feathers

[KimTatum03]

Good afternoon! I recently took in some quail from an exasperated homesteader. I know nothing about quail, I have many other animals.
There are some that look sick, maybe mites, maybe aggression (they don’t fight and appear docile when held)

Will you take a look and give me your expertise? I added the icky ones first, followed by the rest of the flock. There are about six birds per cage. The cages are 3’x3’.

 

[casportpony]

@Kiki, @muddy75, @Nabiki, can you help?

 

[muddy75]

Good afternoon! I recently took in some quail from an exasperated homesteader. I know nothing about quail, I have many other animals.
There are some that look sick, maybe mites, maybe aggression (they don’t fight and appear docile when held)

Will you take a look and give me your expertise? I added the icky ones first, followed by the rest of the flock. There are about six birds per cage. The cages are 3’x3’.

Do you know the approximate age???? My adults tend to molt this time of year and look absolutely horrible!!!! So it could be that or there could be too many males causing “overbreeding” related feather loss. I’ve also seen some pretty wicked loss in young quail when temps too hot in the brooder. I recommend adding vitamins/electrolytes and feeding a high quality food. Depending on your location, you’ll want to get them in better shape before temps fall.

 

[FloorCandy]

Do you know the approximate age???? My adults tend to molt this time of year and look absolutely horrible!!!! So it could be that or there could be too many males causing “overbreeding” related feather loss. I’ve also seen some pretty wicked loss in young quail when temps too hot in the brooder. I recommend adding vitamins/electrolytes and feeding a high quality food. Depending on your location, you’ll want to get them in better shape before temps fall.

Agreed, the ones with bare lower backs are probably overbred hens, they could be looking kind of rough from overbreeding and fighting among males, molting, poor nutrition, or back husbandry. You should vent sex them all and keep it to 1 male per cage, with 3-5 hens each. Give them a good quality game bird feed, and offer them sand or dirt baths. I think they’ll shape right up.

 

[KimTatum03]

Do you know the approximate age???? My adults tend to molt this time of year and look absolutely horrible!!!! So it could be that or there could be too many males causing “overbreeding” related feather loss. I’ve also seen some pretty wicked loss in young quail when temps too hot in the brooder. I recommend adding vitamins/electrolytes and feeding a high quality food. Depending on your location, you’ll want to get them in better shape before temps fall.

These are well over a year old. I’m located in Houston so we tend to have pretty mild winters. I didn’t know they molt bad. The other birds aren’t looking this way just this one. Odd

 

[KimTatum03]

Agreed, the ones with bare lower backs are probably overbred hens, they could be looking kind of rough from overbreeding and fighting among males, molting, poor nutrition, or back husbandry. You should vent sex them all and keep it to 1 male per cage, with 3-5 hens each. Give them a good quality game bird feed, and offer them sand or dirt baths. I think they’ll shape right up.

Thanks for that. Any recommendations on how to sex them? I know I sound ignorant and I am for this bird. I though the same, maybe overbred since it’s on its lower back and back of head

 

[KimTatum03]

What type of feed to you ladies like? She had them on MG flock feed ?

 

[Kiki]

These are well over a year old. I’m located in Houston so we tend to have pretty mild winters. I didn’t know they molt bad. The other birds aren’t looking this way just this one. Odd

I am in Houston.

None of my birds have ever molted bad but my oldest birds have only been about 2 years old.

 

[Kiki]

What type of feed to you ladies like? She had them on MG flock feed ?

MG does not make a poultry 'flock' feed.

I like the MG brand and I used to feed my adult quail the layer crumbles from MG.
I currently use the Bryant brand.

https://www.m-ginc.com/mg-poultry-feeds

 

[Kiki]

Thanks for that. Any recommendations on how to sex them? I know I sound ignorant and I am for this bird. I though the same, maybe overbred since it’s on its lower back and back of head

I believe that bird that has the bareback has been overbred It could also be old.

Are you aware that 2 years old is quite old for a Coturnix?

Do you have any idea how old these birds are?
From what I can see in your pictures none of those birds are feather sexable.