Quail Wry Neck Causes an Experiential Conversation

[gardenisto]

I recently hatched 4 coturnix quail from shipped eggs. My hatch rate wasn't great, candling revealed less than great fertility. The two runts had a rapid onset wry neck over night at seven and eight days from hatch date. The other two are healthy as can be. I had all of them on vitamins, electrolytes, high protein feed, even egg(which they love), environment is kept very clean with frequent water changes. They were not in any overly soft bedding, and it doesn't seem as though the wry neck was caused by injury. I've read through the wry neck pages for chickens. I've read an abstract on coturnix quail about research suggesting that wry neck at 7 days is likely a genetic issue. With two chicks rapidly getting it, the two runts, I am thinking the 'runtiness' and the wry neck at 7 days were cause by a genetic predisposure. One runt passed. And for the other, I will continue to pursue the recommended course of vitamin treatment. Seems like minor improvemtn after two days of treatment. I will be sourcing new eggs on the BST forum on BYC to improve genetics(as soon as I get close to enough posts to be 'allowed'). Another factor worth noting: My incubator was calibrated with three thermometers. Temps were perfect, and consistent. Humidity stayed in the recommended ranges for both incubation and hatching.

The big question:
If you've read to this point or at least skipped to this point. From your quail experience, and observance, what mainly causes wry neck in quail?

Genetics?
Nutritional Deficiency?
Injury? (head or neck trauma)


The less big question:
Should I diversify genetics of healthy ones with other bloodlines? Or should I not worry about genetics at this point, and focus on providing higher concentrations of vitamins to hatchlings if eggs are purchased from the same supplier?


Thanks for participation. I'm hoping to learn from this.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry about your chick.

It does seem as though it was genetic. It could be to improper nutrition of the breeders, inbreeding, or just genetic defects.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/819136/quail-chick-with-a-wry-neck-advice-needed

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/412688/button-quail-w-possible-wry-neck-treatment-progress


Research has proven genetic diversity is healthiest and that inbreeding can lead to all kinds or problems in animals and even people. You can find some good, healthy bloodlines to add in. There are lots of great breeders out there.

I hope this helps. Best of luck with your quail!

 

[gardenisto]

Thanks GitaBooks, I actually read both of those threads, and the numerous chicken ones. I was really looking for opinions on genetics versus deficiency, or the combination, and you provided that. I'd like to avoid the problem all together in the future if possible.

I'll definitely look into diversifying my cot quail genetics. I'd have to read faqs or rules again, but if its allowed and anyone has suggestions or recommendations of healthy breeders with good genetics, or favorite BYCers on the sales boards, please do share.