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Stopping the heartbreak: Why your baby quail chicks are dying and what to do about it.

It is a sad reality that some baby quail chickens will die.

As an experienced quail keeper, I've seen my fair share of baby quail chicks die over the years.

When chicks start dying - What to do right now:

  • Check temperature immediately.
  • Refresh feed and water.
  • Remove sick chicks to prevent spreading illness.
  • Clean the brooder and add fresh bedding.
  • If losses continue, get a vet to check for disease.

Sometimes, the problem starts before the eggs even hatch—poor breeder nutrition, inbreeding, or incubation issues can all produce weak chicks.

The number one killer - Temperature trouble: Quail chicks can’t regulate their own body heat for the first few weeks.

Below: This is my brooder setup for quail - two heat sources and the temperature stabilised and tested before the birds are ready.

If your brooder is too cold, they chill fast. Too hot, and they overheat just as quickly.

  • Start them at 37°C (98–100°F) directly under the heat source.
  • Give them space to move away if they’re too warm.
  • Watch their behaviour—huddled together means they’re cold, spread far apart and panting means it’s too hot.
  • First-hand tip: I use a heat plate instead of a bulb now. It’s safer, more natural, and the chicks seem calmer.

It's a heartbreaking experience, but it's important to remember that it's not always your fault. There are many factors that can contribute to chick mortality, such as genetics, disease, and environmental factors.

The Silent Killer - Starvation: A chick that doesn’t eat will fade fast. This often happens if feed is too coarse, too far away, or hard to find.

  • Use high-protein starter crumble (28%) quail or game bird specific starter feed.
  • Have more than one food source.
  • Offer fresh feed daily. Don't let their feed sit for days, as it can get mouldy.
  • Break the food up so as the tiny chicks can eat it comfortably.
  • Scatter some feed on paper towel in the brooder for the first couple of days.
  • Check that chicks are pecking and swallowing, not just playing with the food.

Below: Make sure you have taught the chicks where to find food and water in the brooder and cover the bedding for a few days.

In a recent hatch of bought in eggs, (Summer 2025) I had a large number die very soon after hatching and in this case it was likely a nutrient deficiency in the parents.

It can be funny to think how much the health of the parents affects the young birds but it is one of the biggest causes of chick death in just hatched quail.

The invisible threat - Dehydration: Chicks can die within hours if they don’t drink enough water, especially in warm conditions. Sometimes they don’t recognise the drinker.

  • Dip each chick’s beak in water right after hatch.
  • Use shallow drinkers with marbles or pebbles to prevent drowning.
  • Keep the water fresh—quail are experts at kicking bedding into it.

Below: A video showing how I teach my quail chicks to drink. Use a syringe to drop water into their drinker - this creates the same sort of excitement as falling feed and the young birds investigate a learn to drink.

Overcrowding and stress : Quail chicks hate being jostled constantly. Too many in one space can lead to trampling, pecking, and competition for food and water.

  • Allow at least 1 square foot for every 4–6 chicks at first and increase gradually.
  • Provide multiple feeders and drinkers.
  • Ensure there's a constant flow of fresh air without a direct draft hitting the chicks.
  • Use solid-sided containers like a plastic tote to prevent drafts.
  • Keep handling gentle and minimal in the first few days.

Below: Quail chicks can be nasty and can attack and kill each other in the brooder.

This is a behaviour that is commonly seen in wild birds where the youngest or smallest chick in a net is picked on and thrown out of the nest or in some cases killed outright.

This is definitely something to watch out for as it can happen in an instant and is unpredictable. 

Hygiene hazards : Dirty brooders can breed bacteria, mould and coccidiosis fast. A healthy chick one day can be dead the next if disease takes hold.

  • Use clean bedding and change it regularly.
  • Consider changing to sand as a bedding.
  • Disinfect feeders, drinkers, and brooder walls weekly.
  • Watch for pasty vents or lethargy—these are early warning signs.

Baby Quail mortality: Complete list of common causes and easy fixes.

Even with perfect care, you may still lose a few chicks. Quail are tiny, and nature can be unforgiving. But if you tackle the main risks—temperature, hydration, nutrition, space, hygiene—you’ll keep losses to a minimum.

  1. Check Their Environment: First, let's make sure their brooder setup is optimal. Is it warm enough? Quail chicks need a consistent temperature of around 95-100°F (35-37.8°C) for the first week. Make sure you have a heat lamp or a heat source set up in one corner of the brooder, allowing them to move away from the heat if they get too warm.

  2. Observe Behaviour: Watch your chicks closely. Are they active, pecking at food, and drinking water? If they seem lethargic or huddled together, it may indicate they are too cold. If they are panting and staying away from the heat source, it might be too warm.
  3. Don't over handle them. Quail chicks are very delicate creatures, so it's important to handle them gently. Only handle them when necessary, and be careful not to drop them.
  4. Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure they have easy access to clean, fresh water at all times. Quail chicks can dehydrate quickly. Offer them a high-quality starter feed specifically designed for quail. Their diet is essential for their growth and development.
  5. Space and Crowding: Make sure your brooder isn't overcrowded. Overcrowding can lead to stress and injuries. Quail chicks are prey animals, so they need to have plenty of places to hide from predators. Place some hiding places, such as hanging a cotton mop head, cardboard boxes or PVC pipes, in the brooder.
  6. Cleanliness: Keep the brooder clean. Change their bedding regularly to prevent disease and maintain good hygiene. Dirty conditions can lead to illness.
  7. Quarantine: If you have introduced new chicks, they should be quarantined for a while to ensure they are not carrying any diseases that could harm your existing flock.
  8. Ventilation: Ensure there is proper ventilation in the brooder to prevent ammonia buildup from their droppings, which can be harmful.
  9. Parasite Control: Check for external parasites like mites and lice. If you see any signs, treat your chicks accordingly.
  10. Stress Factors: Avoid loud noises, sudden temperature changes, and any other factors that could stress the chicks.
  11. Observe for Signs of Illness: Keep an eye out for any signs of illness, such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or diarrhoea. If you notice these signs, isolate the sick chicks from the healthy ones and consult with a veterinarian or an experienced quail keeper.
  12. Gradual Introduction: When it's time to introduce them to the outside world, do so gradually to prevent stress.
  13. Education and Research: Continuously educate yourself about quail care. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to provide proper care for your chicks.

Remember that quail chicks can be delicate, and it's not uncommon to lose a few. The key is to provide the best possible care and learn from each experience to improve your skills as a quail keeper.

If you're unsure about what might be causing the deaths of your chicks, it's always a good idea to consult with more experienced quail keepers or a local veterinarian who is knowledgeable about poultry care.