How to Prevent Chick Deaths in Quail After Hatching: A Practical Guide for Healthy Starts

Bringing new life into the brooder is exciting — but too often, quail chicks that hatch strong don’t survive the first few days. At Undique, we’ve seen how small changes in setup and timing can make the difference between thriving chicks and heartbreaking losses. Here’s how to stack the odds in your favor.

1. Don’t Rush Them Out of the Incubator

Let newly hatched chicks dry off and fluff up fully before moving them. Pulling them too early causes temperature shock and weakens them. Wait until they’re dry, upright, and stable — typically 6 to 12 hours after hatch.

2.Match the Brooder Temperature to the Incubator

Chicks need 95–100°F in the brooder for the first few days — just like in the incubator. If your brooder is cooler, they’ll chill fast and crash. Use a thermometer at chick level, and avoid relying on guesswork.

3. Use a Grippy Floor

Slippery floors cause splayed legs and exhaustion. Use rubber drawer liners, paper towels, or textured shelf liners — not newspaper or smooth plastic. Swap daily for hygiene.

4. Show Them the Water – Literally

Chicks don’t instinctively know where water is. Dip their beaks into the waterer as soon as you place them. Use shallow dishes with marbles or rocks to prevent drowning.

5. Start with the Right Feed

Use a high-protein game bird starter (24–30%) that’s finely ground. Avoid chick crumble meant for chickens — it lacks the protein quail need to survive and grow.

6. Watch for Pasting (Pasty Butt)

Though rare in quail, pasty vent (poop blockage) can kill fast. Check vents daily the first week and gently wipe with warm water if needed.

7. Don’t Overcrowd

Too many chicks leads to trampling, stress, and bullying. Stick to a max of 50 chicks per 3x2 brooder section and expand space as they grow.

8. Avoid Overhandling Early On

As tempting as it is to pick them up constantly, quail chicks are delicate. Limit handling during the first 48 hours while they adjust to their environment and stabilize.

9. Keep a Clean Setup

Wet litter, feed spills, and poop buildup invite bacteria. Clean brooders every few days, and change water daily. A dirty brooder can wipe out a batch in hours.

Final Thoughts

The first 72 hours are the most critical in a quail chick’s life. With warmth, clean water, high-protein feed, and a stable brooder setup, your hatchlings can make a strong start. At Undique and Quailz.com, we’re here to help you turn hatch day into success, not stress.

Need brooder supplies or ready-to-go kits? Check out our hatch-ready gear at Quailz.com or message us directly — we’re real farmers, not bots.