THE QUAIL ARE HATCHING! HELP!!

[Deleted member 94844]

I just moved the three of them to the brooder and the toes are starting to straighten out. Will make some “shoes” for them tomorrow if it’s still an issue. So far it’s just these three. The other eggs appear to be DOA. One shell was damaged and I peeked inside to find a dead, but fully-formed chick. Must have run out of air... poor thing.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

 

[Robertrayklein2]

May have to high of calcium in diet. I had that problem with my first batch. Eggs where to thick and chicks had holes broke they could put their heads out but died still in shell. Then splayed legs decimated the ones who hatched. Batch i am running now i will be using silicone drawer liner.... Definitely don't use cheap Sam's club paper towels to slippery for quail chicks

 

[Deleted member 94844]

The adults are fed Mazuri gamebird starter, which has 30% protein... I’ll check what the calcium content is, though the shells don’t appear to be thick. I think the heat wave is the complicating issue... was over 100 degrees on a few occasions cause it got so hot in the house. Anyway. The last one is a little weaker than the other two, had a hard time hatching, but is starting to eat and run around now. Was sleeping for hours. Hoping everyone makes it through the night!

 

[Deleted member 94844]

 

[007Sean]

The adults are fed Mazuri gamebird starter, which has 30% protein... I’ll check what the calcium content is, though the shells don’t appear to be thick. I think the heat wave is the complicating issue... was over 100 degrees on a few occasions cause it got so hot in the house. Anyway. The last one is a little weaker than the other two, had a hard time hatching, but is starting to eat and run around now. Was sleeping for hours. Hoping everyone makes it through the night!

I don't think a few minutes of over 100°F would be detrimental to the chicks, unless it reached 104°F or higher for an extended period of time, that will kill an embryo or chick.
As far as feed is concerned, too high a protein feed is detrimental to the overall health of gamebirds. It can "burn them up", cause problems with their digestive tract as well as a host of other problems.
24% protein is more than adequate to provide nutritional requirements of most gamebirds, turkeys and a few other more of the rarer species of pheasants require higher protein in their diet.
A well balanced feed with the correct and right amount of vitamins and minerals and a protein content of 24% is all you need for quail.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

It may have gotten that hot... the AC was out for a few days... so that is probably why the hatch rate was so low. These guys are survivors, though

 

[Deleted member 94844]

#3 got a new shoe today cause his left foot was still curling under and he was having some trouble. It’s thin recycled cardstock with band-aid adhesive on top to hold his toes in place. Man was it difficult to get this on! Not running as fast now, but it appears to be working. He’s now standing flat on his foot with toes spread... thinking I’ll leave it on for a day or two and then see if he can keep straight without it. Anyone else do this for their chicks?

 

[PirateGirl]

@KikisGirls !

 

[Kiki]

Congrats on the three.

If I read correctly you did not measure your humidity levels throughout the incubation process?
That is probably why you ended up with DIS chicks.
I'm betting it was too high the whole time.
Pick up a cheap 5 dollar or less humidity gauge and calibrate it in a zip lock bag with a dish of salt ( I can be more specific if you want) and I bet you will find your levels were just too high.


I personally wouldn't bother wrapping toes this early.
They usually correct themselves over the first few days.


I would also recommend picking up some Nutri Drench and giving each chick a drop straight to the beak for the first few days.