Young quail dying

[bakerd]

I have a question. My Ag class incubated and hatched 7 quail. They turned 5 weeks old and went home with a student over Spring break. She claims they were in a warm area, had plenty of water, and chick starter. She said she checked them this morning and they were fine and went back out this afternoon and they were all dead. I'm at a loss. She has had them exactly one week so I would have assumed the stress period would be over if that occurred? Any way I can tell if I see them as to how they died or any suggestions as to what May have happened?

 

[teradragon]

Kinda suggests environmental on account of them all dying. Were they all related? If they were could also have been a genetic issue. What a shame. Hopefully someone on here with more experience will be able to lend some insight.

 

[TwoCrows]

5 weeks is pretty young and they may have chilled over night. They also may have been sick and the student didn't know it.

These are the two most likely scenarios. Entire flock of birds just don't die all at once.

So sorry for your losses.

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[James the Bald]

I agree with 2Crows. Here is a link to site for temperatures recommended for brooding quail. They may have been in a warm area, but if they were in an area that was subjected to a breeze or a gentle cross wind, that could have chilled them below what their body temperatures could produce.

Where I live, the temps were 65 degrees, but there was a 10mph breeze that made it feel much cooler than it was.

Sorry about the loss. I hope your student is able to recover from this tragedy.
James

 

[stormseeker]

i would believe there was a temp spike that held a while, that'll do new chicks away quickly. im raising my jumbos indoors, i brood my new chicks with a 75w bulb. i watch em to make sure they don't shiver, because when they do shiver theyre TOO COLD in danger of dying from there on. i put them in a less than ten gallon size cardboard box with screen top. if theres drafts around, ill put paper towels over the screen top to keep in a lil heat in and i observe for problems with retention. i did well with no problems(aside a chick drowning that was my fault for not putting rocks in the water dish) during the recent heavy winter and freezing temps and drafts abounded in the room i keep them in. good luck next batch!