My 6 coturnix are about 2 weeks old now. I've noticed one, one of the pied rosettas, has a habit of screaming and backing up. He'll race around backwards, stop scream, then back up again. I got a video of the chick doing it on ustream. It otherwise seems fine, eating and drinking, feathers are normal, even had a dust bath today. Any thoughts? I have one thought from my experience with the emu chicks. The video can (hopefully) be seen at this url http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17962651
I loved your video of the quail chicks hopping around! So cute! I did notice the one that was walking backwards. I have seen my guinea fowl do it at times as adults. They would be running around and then just start running backwards! There has been cases of mites when they run backwards but if the others are acting fine I wouldn't worry much. Usually it's a way of excitement and running off from predators. Maybe another chick was being territorial or dominant towards it.
Awww that video is so precious! It was totally bizarre seeing the chicks run backwards, though! What the heck!
Quote:One of my ringneck pheasants does that, I was told it was normal. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
