[updated below] I'm certainly not an expert, as I have only begun raising button quail myself. Yet, I did a lot of reading, asking questions with our local bird owners, and looked at a number of forum threads regarding hatching and raising quail before starting. One of the things I noticed was how often it was noted not to use "medicated" game bird starter feed for button quail (also, not to use chicken starter.) If I can find the thread links, I will post them after this. There was a woman, and I think it may have even been on this site, who stated that when she gave her quail the medicated food, they started acting sick. She then switched back to non-medicated and they improved. We were also told at our local feed store not to use medicated starter for button quail, as their systems cannot metabolize this the same as chickens or larger quail. I'm so sorry for your loss. I will look for some of those threads for you and post their links...
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Edited (added links) Here are some of the document links I wanted to share with you. I've added the full-spectrum lighting link because a couple of local quail owners here also mentioned the importance of using a full-spectrum blue bulb for heat and light in place of an infrared....
1. The importance of full-spectrum lighting to keep birds healthy:
http://www.squidoo.com/the-importance-of-lighting-of-bird-breeder-stock
2. Maybe they are not eating as much as they appear to be? My button wasn't eating well until
I figured out the crumbles were still too large. If your button is lifting its neck (looks like it is
trying to swallow) this might be a sign. Once I ground it down to a powder, feeding
improved significantly. There is also a recipe for high-protein chick starter in this link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105112019AAzFf07
3. Another interesting link on chick starter (non-medicated/medicated):
http://featheredobsessions.com/Feed_Requirements.html
A few things that have helped me so far that came from suggestions in these threads...
- Look for pasty droppings that cling to their backside. This can block them up, rendering them unable to feed or poo properly. Someone suggested to me that I use either probiotics or yogurt for this. I use probiotics, and it has worked to clear this up quickly.
- Check your thermometer and test it by comparison with another to make sure it is not off by a few degrees. Watch how your chicks are acting under the lamp. If they are breathing heavy and kind of lethargic, it may be too warm at the 95 degree reading. Yet, they may not know to move to a cooler spot. I actually don't keep my brooder quite this warm (more closer to 90 degrees during the first week.)
- Electrolytes (sugar water mixed in with vitamins.) You may notice several posters recommend Poly Vi Sol (no iron) for their chicks. It can help if there is vitamin deficiency involved, and/or to help give them the energy they need to get them to eat if they have been too weak.
Wish I could be of more help, but again, this is only what I have learned so far from other button owners. Good luck to you, and I hope you are able to save the rest of your babies.
