still attached

[phoebedweeby]

Im watching my first quail hatch but Im abit concerned should they still be attached to the shell by a thin cord 30 mins after hatching. They seem to be ok but just dragging the shell behind them

[Little Bear Game Farm]

Never hatched quail but have seen this with my chukar and pheasant.  I typically remove the shell by cutting the string that is attached with a nail clippers.  If you try to pull it, you could pull the cord out from the chick and it will not do well after that.