One single baby quail...how best to care for

[Lobzi]

Im keeping the now three day old quail in the incubator and hoping more eggs will hatch. I was testing the viability to I did not put all my quail eggs in on the same day. The next two are not due to hatch until Thursday. I let this little one stay warm and asleep most of the time but I do take him out a couple of times a day and offer food and water. Im using an eyedropper and it takes water but it is not eating much if anying, it is hard to tell.
Any advice as I am new to quail babies. It is so small and seems to fragile Im kind of afraid to handle it too much but on the other hand I want it to become attached to me as I am raising it for a pet. If the other two eggs do not hatch the next opportunity for four more to hatch wont be until next week.

 

[TwoCrows]

Are you crushing the food for the baby? Many times the starter food is too large for quail babies to eat. So you will need to pound it down or grind it. It doesn't have to be powder, but definitely pretty small for them to swallow. I usually crush food for the first week or so until I see them eating it as it is out of the bag.

Put a stuffed animal in there for him to snuggle up to. Even an over turned feather duster makes a nice snuggle spot for a single baby. A small mirror will help him believe he is not alone.

Yes, they are tiny! Keep up all the lovin'!

 

[Lobzi]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Ill pulverize the food even more then. Do you know if medicated chick starter is OK to use with quail? I heard not for ducklings and so I have not used it with Scooter, my quail baby. How did he get his name you ask....well he scoots all over when given the chance using his wings and pushing with his legs. I hope he doesnt have hip problems due to his terry cloth substrate.

He gets supervised visits with his bantam chick brother who continues to go after Scooters toe if I dont watch them closely. I have had to remove the toe from Micky's beak many times.

 

[TwoCrows]

Aww....what a cutie pie! Yes, larger chicks can hurt tiny quail babies, so be careful.

Yes, you can use medicated starter with quail babies.

He may be scooting due to having some issue with his legs. Definitely try to get him to eat food. Hard boiled eggs are good emergency food for all birds of all sizes. They contain all the building blocks of life and can sustain them for extended periods of time. They usually take to hard boiled eggs very easy and will eat quite a bit. If he is having issues with being weak, the vitamins B and E in the egg will really help with this. Just don't leave egg laying around he doesn't eat. It can grow bacteria under the heat lamp.

 

[Lobzi]

When I let him out with us (me and the chicks on the porch) I put a plastic container over him and let him locomote under it. He loves to travel around and I have to constantly move the container to keep up with him. I watch to see if he can stand up. I think he was doing so yesterday. I will try some eggs and crush the medicated chick food even finer for him. I also pulverized some hulled sunflowerseed and Ill try that with him.

 

[jhall6293]

Aww....what a cutie pie! Yes, larger chicks can hurt tiny quail babies, so be careful.

Yes, you can use medicated starter with quail babies.

He may be scooting due to having some issue with his legs. Definitely try to get him to eat food. Hard boiled eggs are good emergency food for all birds of all sizes. They contain all the building blocks of life and can sustain them for extended periods of time. They usually take to hard boiled eggs very easy and will eat quite a bit. If he is having issues with being weak, the vitamins B and E in the egg will really help with this. Just don't leave egg laying around he doesn't eat. It can grow bacteria under the heat lamp.

I have saved many baby birds by using a hard-boiled egg mash! Egg is full of protein (especially the yolk) and other nutrients that are vital for hatchlings.

 

[Lobzi]

Lost little Scooter. I wish I knew why but Im not doing something correct.

 

[Lobzi]

IVe got two ready to hatch. Im also much better prepped. I made some aquave water with vitamins and I will have fine food ready for them. Im just heartbroken over losing this little one. I hope to have learned something from this loss.

 

[TwoCrows]

Lost little Scooter. I wish I knew why but Im not doing something correct.

Oh I am so sorry!!

Just make sure to keep them warm...95 degrees the first week and lower the temp by 5 degrees each week. Heat on one side of the brooder, food and water on the other. Keep a precise thermometer on the floor directly under the heat source. Red or infra red bulbs are the best to use. Doesn't disturb their natural sleep pattern like white lighting can.

I like to dip the beaks in the water right after hatching so they know where the water is. Crush all food for chicks up to a week old. Lay a paper towel down by the feeder and sprinkle feed all over the floor there. Tap with your finger like you are eating it to prompt them to get started in eating. After a few days and they know where the food is, you can remove the paper towels.

 

[jhall6293]

Lost little Scooter. I wish I knew why but Im not doing something correct.

I'm so sorry about your loss!