Quail stopped laying?

[maxandme]

I have 2 Japanese quail (molly & mildred) and a few days ago when the temperatures were really high (109 degrees) they stopped laying. Yesterday and today have been cooler and still nothing. I thought maybe it was just too hot and they went on "egg strike" but now Im not sure. Anyone have any ideas or this happened to them as well?

We keep them in a large cage in our shed. The shed has a window and we leave the door open all day, along with a fan in there to keep it cooler when the temps hit so high. In the past they have been very happy there, sometimes even laying 3 eggs a day between the 2 of them. Please help, Im so worried about my girls!!

 

[maxandme]

As of yesterday, over a week after they stopped laying, one of our Quail dies and the other doesnt look well. Wondering if anyone has an idea why this would be happening? Their cage is cleaned regularly, they have food and water daily. Im so confused!

 

[oktx]

I've been giving mine ice water every few hours in this heat. I've also supplemented with iced electrolyte water which is just a gallon of water with 1 tsp sugar, 1/8th tsp kosher salt, 1/8th tsp baking soda. I also take an afternoon snack of chilled watermelon cut up out to them. Mine were having a hard time with the heat at first but the extra TLC in this heat is pulling them through and my two girls and their roo are both healthy and happy, chirping and cheerful when they see me.

Heat exhaustion is cumulative in birds so you really want to start early and often making sure you are giving them adequate ways to keep cool. The fan is a great idea. Remember not to get your birds wet, though since they don't have sweat glands or a way to regulate their body temperature once their feathers get wet.

If you are seeing excessive panting, get ice water out to them quickly. Mine absolutely love it and run to it when I get out there along with chilled fruit.

 

[maxandme]

Thanks oktx!