Week old birds preening...mites?

[Little-Farmer]

Our coturnix quail are a week old now. They are growing, eating, drinking, very active, and thriving. Their feathers are growing in but I noticed that they are all preening a lot and there's thin feathered areas on their necks and under their wings.

Is this the normal feather growth and behavior for their age? Or should I be concerned about mites?

We had to go out of town for three days so my niece was taking care of them. Their cage was next to her guinea pig cage but separated. Could they have gotten some type if mites from them? Or maybe stress from the move back and forth?

I'm hoping this is normal...

If not, I'm looking for natural remedies we plan on raising organic quail...

 

[TwoCrows]

Birds this age are molting into their adult feathers. They are going to molt several times before they mature in the next couple months, so they will be doing a LOT of preening. They will also make a lot of dust from all the feather shaft skin that protects the feathers.

So this is all normal. Enjoy your babies!

 

[Little-Farmer]

Thank goodness!

And thank you twocrows!