5 week old quail suddenly can't stand today - HELP

[Lady_Bat]

Our quail are 5 weeks old now. All seem like they are healthy & happy. They are all feathering out nicely & are plump.

There are 45 (male & female, haven't counted the ratio yet) of them in a 8' by 12' run with a coop inside of it. They have multiple feeders, a big waterer, grit station, oyster shell station, a treat station, a litter box full of sand/DE to dust bathe in, 2x4 steps next to the litter box, & multiple little huts to hide in. The coop has pine shavings from TS covering the floor. Sometimes we find some of the quail hanging out in the coop because I throw mealworms in there to make it a "happy place".

Every other day we put them inside the coop for approximately 5 minutes while we move the run to fresh grass. This morning we went to put everyone in the coop & noticed that 1 female was just laying there. Not running to the mealworms like everyone else. We then watched her kinda of scoot/wiggle (even using her wings like arms to help move) trying to get to a different location. We placed her in the coop & moved it. Then I had to reach in & take her out because she was the only one not doing the usual excited run around/new bug hunt. I placed her next to the waterer, she wasn't interested. I put a pile of food near her, she wasn't interested. I put some grit next to her, she wasn't interested. I put some mealworms next to her & she ate them but not all crazy excited like normal.

No one else is acting weird. Nothing is out of place, no signs of animal attacks, we are anti chemical so there's nothing bad in the grass, etc. I picked her up & gave her a through once over. I was holding her when she pooped (ah, the joys of parenting!). The poop was a touch shinny but otherwise normal. I don't see signs of trauma as far as blood or missing feathers. But when I compared her legs to another female, I saw a difference. The injured girl has red/purple/swollen "knee" joints. I attached pictures. I assume her legs were injured but have no idea how/when/where/why/etc.

I haven't done anything for her yet because I have no idea whats wrong/what to do. Has anyone seen or heard of this before? We would really appreciate advice. Since it's a girl & we were hoping for eggs, we are willing to do a lot to help her get better. Thank you in advance!!

 

[Chickem707]

I have a similar problem, possibly vitamin deficiency

 

[Lady_Bat]

After a crazy amount of internet searching, I don't think it's vitamin related. She's alert, looks good, fat, & healthy apart from those knee joints. & she's a fighter (that's my girl!), gets mad as heck when you start looking her over. We watched her scoot around to get to what/where she wanted so we think she's still eating & drinking.

Since they are Jumbo Corturnix Quail, they are supposed to reach full/slaughter weight at roughly 6-8 weeks of age (they will be 6 weeks in 4 days). & she is on the bigger side of the group. Also, we're in VA & been under a heat advisory everyday for the last week. So most of them have been rather lazy as of late (darn kids these days!).

Here's what ye old interwebs have to say:

Option 1: People have reported hens that go broody too long as getting spastic leg cramps or not being able to stand (complete with swollen knees). There were a few instances of roos having swollen knees after periods of extreme heat or cold because they sat to stay warm or cool. So the theory is that if the legs get sat on too long without proper stretching, the knees may swell or legs have trouble supporting weight.

Option 2: Much like meat bird chickens or big breasted turkeys, thanks to human tinkering her legs can't deal with her weight.

Option 3: It could be a combination of option 1 & 2.

I feel like it's probably option 3 but I'm a newbie to all of this. Can anyone make a little quail wheelchair for me? Haha, that would be too cute!! Seriously though, can you give quail baby asprin or something? Something to potentially help with pain &/or swelling?

We are headed to the store today to get some cabbage & stretchy bandages to try this (some wonderful person here on BYC, posted it, THANK YOU!!!):
https://holistic-hen.blogspot.com/2016/01/treating-swollen-feet-or-joints-with.html#.Vpuv9l5VKlM