Weak baby quail?

[First_time_quail_mom]

Hi everyone!
Just hatched 4 baby quails for the first time. They hatched last Friday, 11/04. We did our research to have everything good and ready.

They are being kept in a 75l container next to the oven and with a thermometer. The temperature inside is around 36 to 38 °C. We are feeding them red milks 20% broiler/chick crumble and for water we alternate between tap and ‘magic water’ (Mix of water, honey, vinegar and garlic) that I read in multiple blogs as being beneficial for them on the first weeks.

However one of them is looking very scraggy. Its feathers are all stuck on clumps specially around the neck/chest. It is stretching and yawning constantly and today he started shaking his head and it looks to me like he is wobbly (but that just may be because it’s young?)
It looks like it is drinking (sometimes I think too much?) and eating normally but its face and movements look like it is not healthy.
Maybe is just first time jitters but could anyone offer some insight please? Here’s a picture of the little bubba if it helps.

Please help this first time mom anxiety.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Nabiki]

First, the feed you're giving them isn't appropriate for quail.
Second, garlic is toxic to many birds, so please stop the "magic water" immediately.

Do you have any Nutri-Drench? I would try that first to give the chick an energy boost, then see if it will eat some boiled, crushed egg yolk.

In the meantime, here is an article that will help you find an appropriate feed for your quail chicks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

 

[007Sean]

First, the feed you're giving them isn't appropriate for quail.
Second, garlic is toxic to many birds, so please stop the "magic water" immediately.

Do you have any Nutri-Drench? I would try that first to give the chick an energy boost, then see if it will eat some boiled, crushed egg yolk.

In the meantime, here is an article that will help you find an appropriate feed for your quail chicks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-feed-your-quail.79205/

Ditto!!!! Stop the garlic 'magic water'. 20% protein broiler feed is not adequate for young quail. Try to find turkey starter or a gamebird feed of at least 24% protein.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Lose the magic gunk fast! The honey’s viscosity is probably contributing to the funky look and gaping. The other stuff might even be toxic. Most especially don’t take away the real water and leave only the other stuff, these guys are small and can dehydrate quickly!!! I wouldn’t worry too much about the feed at the moment, mine do fine on 21% protein, but it is certainly something to consider in future. Warmth, dry bedding, clean water and good feed is all they need, everything else is just a gimmick or even dangerous!

 

[First_time_quail_mom]

Wow, thank you so much for the help, tips and articles guys.

I’m am so sad, because a LOT of places where I was reading before they hatched said this water with honey and garlic would help their immune system and I just wanted them to be healthy. Honest mistake, but so sad to know there is so much misinformation out there.

I stopped the water and I’m waiting for the delivery of another type of food in my local store.
Unfortunately no Nutri-Drench around but I got it online and I’m waiting for it to arrive.
Their bedding is cleaned every 2 or 3 days and we got a chick plate for the brooder, so everything seems to be running smoothly.

The scraggy baby is looking better and is still eating and drinking normally so I don’t think it’s anything serious.

I’ll keep you updated!

 

[Nabiki]

I'm glad the little one is doing better. I think you'll be amazed at how fast they grow once they're on a proper diet. They start getting their wing feathers in as little as three days!

 

[007Sean]

Wow, thank you so much for the help, tips and articles guys.

I’m am so sad, because a LOT of places where I was reading before they hatched said this water with honey and garlic would help their immune system and I just wanted them to be healthy. Honest mistake, but so sad to know there is so much misinformation out there.

I stopped the water and I’m waiting for the delivery of another type of food in my local store.
Unfortunately no Nutri-Drench around but I got it online and I’m waiting for it to arrive.
Their bedding is cleaned every 2 or 3 days and we got a chick plate for the brooder, so everything seems to be running smoothly.

The scraggy baby is looking better and is still eating and drinking normally so I don’t think it’s anything serious.

I’ll keep you updated!

There is tons of mis-information on the net! This is one site that has alot of experts in many different areas of raising poultry, you won't be lead down the 'Golden Brick Road', here!
Glad scraggly is doing better. Adequate protein in a complete and balanced feed ration and fresh, clean water is all they need to grow to adulthood.

 

[Quailwhatdoyaknow]

Sometimes simple is best. Plain water and game bird starter grower. You can use some of the chick electrolyte mix but there really isn’t a need. Quail like it simple.

 

[terriergal]

Wow, thank you so much for the help, tips and articles guys.

I’m am so sad, because a LOT of places where I was reading before they hatched said this water with honey and garlic would help their immune system and I just wanted them to be healthy. Honest mistake, but so sad to know there is so much misinformation out there.

I stopped the water and I’m waiting for the delivery of another type of food in my local store.
Unfortunately no Nutri-Drench around but I got it online and I’m waiting for it to arrive.
Their bedding is cleaned every 2 or 3 days and we got a chick plate for the brooder, so everything seems to be running smoothly.

The scraggy baby is looking better and is still eating and drinking normally so I don’t think it’s anything serious.

I’ll keep you updated!

Hope it’s doing better, sometimes you get one that just won’t thrive. I am having that issue with one quail that may not make it after a week and a half (the last one to hatch). So scanning the threads for ideas. It’s subtle right now but seems aimless and going through the motions like it’s having trouble seeing. Also seems smaller and less muscular than the others.