Quail Basic Health knowledge

 Quail Basic Health knowledge

 

Quail Basic Health knowledge

17If kept away from other poultry rearing set-ups, the quail do not usually suffer from a lot of illnesses, although they can contract most chicken diseases (avian cholera, variola, Newcastle disease, and avian flu). It is recommended to administer anti-parasite medication every 2-3 months.Aspergillosis  can  be  a  real  problem,  particularly  during  a  quail’s  first  3 weeks. It is caused by fungi contained in the grains. The symptoms are shortness of breath and general breathing difficulties due to thick yellow deposits or a greenish felt-like coating in the trachea or air sacs. Treatment is difficult and usually requires advice from a vet.2.4 HealthWaterParticularly during the first week, make sure that the small chicks do not drown  in  water  troughs.  To  prevent  this,  half  fill  the  troughs  with  small  pebbles or marbles that will be removed in the second week. Keep at least 0.6 cm of space per quail at the water trough. Use nipple drinkers for adult quail (one nipple for five quail).It is important to maintain a supply of clean water at all times. The drinkers should therefore be cleaned at least once a day. Change  the  water  if  it  has  feed  in  it.  It  must  not  be  too  warm,  as  this  causes pathogenic agents to multiply.If possible, add a drop of methylene blue to the water once a week. This will noticeably reduce respiratory diseases among the quail while purifying the  water,  as  it  is  an  antiseptic  with  mild  fungicidal  and  bactericidal  properties. It is sensible to clean and disinfect the drinkers and feeders every week to prevent diseases. In a bucket of hot water, add a little detergent and scrub them with a stiff brush. Then add a little sodium hydrochlorite (bleach) to a bucket of hot water and scrub again. Finally, rinse them and check they are operating correctly before replacing them.White vinegar is also a very good disinfectant that kills germs; use it, even diluted  with  water,  on  equipment  like  the  drinkers  and  feeders  at  least  once a month, or when the quail show signs of illness.Medicinal methylene blue (which can be bought from a pharmacy) should be used. Do not misuse this product, as it is poisonous.Later  on,  coccidiosis  and  enteritis  can  affect  quail.  The  symptoms  of  coccidiosis are white and bloody diarrhoea often leading to a high mortality rate.  It  can  be  treated  with  terramycin  or  chloramphenicol.  Enteritis  results in bloody diarrhoea. The quail eat little or stop eating completely, and the disease has a very high mortality rate. Cages must be thoroughly disinfected, and other quail must be treated with streptomycin and given calcium.

It is possible to vaccinate against Salmonella typhimurium. This disease causes  white  diarrhoea,  respiratory  difficulties  and  death,  particularly  among  young  quail,  as  well  as  a  swollen  abdomen  and  joints  among  adults. A broad-spectrum antibiotic can be administered, but it is better to start over with healthy breeders, and then vaccinate. The best protection against diseases is to observe a strict hygiene regime at each stage of rearing.