Hatching tray liners

[Baileyellowdog]

Hello all,
I am getting about one quarter of my Japanese quail hatchlings with spraddled legs.
I currently line my hatching tray for with the DACB blue dropping paper (cardboard) from GQF.  It is designed for lining cages.  It has some texture to it but I am concerned that it might me too slick for the hatchlings.   My humidity and temp are 70% (90F wet bulb) and 99F respectively and the other hatchlings are healthy and energetic.  The literature suggests that spraddling can be caused if the lining material is too smooth.  Any experience with this?  I could let them hatch on the wire mesh bottom (1/4" mesh) and put the liner underneath to control droppings.  What products do you use for hatching tray liners or do you hatch on the wire mesh? Thanks for any suggestions!

Dave

[jimmurray3]

Hatch them on the 1/4 inch wire mesh after they hatch put them in a plastic tub with paper towels lineing the bottom of the tub when they are between a week or two old put them in your brooder paper towels will help prevent straddle leg

[MtBullion Gamebirds]

We use rubber shelf liners for the first couple of days.  The GQF blue paper is more for droppings under the wire, I think is is way to slick. 

The great thing about the rubber shelf liners is they can be reused.  I just toss them in the washer. 

Good luck.
Teresa

[Baileyellowdog]

Thanks for the suggestions,
I hatched 13 eggs this week on thick paper towels and none were splayed.  Even though it was a small hatch, I'm encouraged.  I like the rubber shelf liner idea and may try that as well.  Thanks again.

Dave