Thanks so much for responding. Temp you describe was pretty much what I did--95-100 first couple of days out of incubator, then trying to hit 95 the past week, then lower it to around 90 or so (I have a temp differential of about 5 degrees, pretty big, I know).
The shavings were pretty securely under the mat; I don't think they were eating them. But they've definitely been pecking at the poop. Feed is finely ground Purina Mills Chick starter.
I've lost another since last post, so I'm guessing it's gotta be disease of some sort.
An important bit I left out of last post: we're selling our home and it's been shown several times in the last four days. Although I posted a sign explaining the 4-H quail project and requesting a do not disturb, I have no way of knowing what's been done or who has been through.
I also have chickens and recently visited a friend's farmette, though she's not experiencing any deaths and has chicks and turkeys brooding as well. Chances are pretty slim that it's anything from that front.
I guess at this point, I'm suspecting over-crowding and possibly too low temperatures over-stressing the birds and causing them to be susceptible to something. What, I don't know. They literally seem fine one minute and drop dead within the hour.
--danielle