I was wondering if anyone could help me. One of my japanese quail is having trouble standing up. She is feeding and drinking well but she cannot stand and support her body. She cannot seem to easily get her legs underneath her and will shuffle along.
I wondered what was causing this could it be the feed?
I am providing my quail with pellets that has 18% protein. Do they need more greens?
Could it be due to male activity?
It has only happened to one of the females.
They are on a concrete floor with wood shavings in an avairy. Could the joints be affected because of the concrete. The quail in question does not like to be placed on the bricks that I have the feeder and drinker on but she is happy sitting on the wood shavings.
Any advice about leg problems in japanese quail would be great.
i had five quails one died. not the one that had splayed legs its doing fine.
they are nearly three weeks old on friday & are growing well;
it took about 8 days with the plaster on the legs but it walks as good as any now
thanks again for the website help
peter upshaw
Comment by PETER UPSHAW – August 26, 2008 @ 3:37 am
Thanks for dropping by the farmingfriends website again and letting me know how your quail are getting on.
I am pleased to hear that the one with the splayed leg is doing well.
I am sorry to hear about the one that didn’t make it.
Watch out for toe balling (when droppings and litter attach themselves to the quail’s toe and build up into a ball) as this is a very common occurrence and the ball on the foot can quickly build up.
I am glad that you have found the website useful. It is always satisfying to know that it has been of use.
Thanks again for your comment.
Kind regards
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends – August 26, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Comment by Joan Roberts – October 2, 2008 @ 7:54 am
Thanks for visiting farmingfriends and leaving your question. Can I just clarify if you mean toe balling or bumble foot.
Toe balling is where droppings and mud gather on the foot or claws of the bird and harden up into a ball. This is not un-common. You can pick off the toe balls. I tend to pick up the quail and soak the foot in water to dampen the toe ball. Then I usually get someone to help carefully pick at the toe ball. You need to pick carefully otherwise you could pull the nail off the claw. Sometimes the toe ball is very hard so I use pliers to carefully pick at the ball.
Bumblefoot is a hard lump that forms underneath the foot usually where a small wound has been. The lump is formed when the infection is still there. Usually the quail will be limping. If the infection is still active the foot will feel hot and swollen and can be treated with an antibiotic treatment. If the lump is near the surface then you may want to lance the bump and squeeze out the pus and then treat with a veterinary spray. if you do lance the lump then you may wish to keep the bird away from the other birds as the others will sometimes pick at the wound.
I hope this information helps.
Let us know how you get on with your quail.
Kind regards
Sara @ farmingfriends.com
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends – October 2, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Comment by zoe – October 2, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Comment by zoe – October 2, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I am sorry to hear that your quail are not well. They could have coccidiosis or enteritis, both of which can be treated with veterinary help. I would definately contact the vets and ask for advice. If any of them die (which I hope that they don’t) then I would take this one to the vets for a post mortem so that you know what it is and can get the others treated. I did this recently and I was surprised that it was not too expensive. it cost about £17 to have a pm for two quail.
I am sure that you are changing the water regularly and making sure that the ground is not littered with crumbs and droppings. Putting fresh straw or saw dust down will help prevent illness but I am sure that you are already doing this. Is the crumbs medicated as you can get medicated chick crumbs that will help against coccidiosis.
Let me know how the quail progress.
Kind regards
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends – October 2, 2008 @ 6:46 pm