Adult female coturnix quail vomiting

[PineconeQuail]

Hi again - I'm back with another quail issue/question (ugh)!

Recently I had issues with my 3 adult female coturnix quail having attitude problems towards one another (see this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...to-a-bully-after-reintroduction-help.1486060/ ). After removing them all and putting them all back together I went from one bully to two, luckily the second bully has calmed down and is now buddies with the third quail again, and I'm back to just one being a butt.

This brings me to my question/concern. My one sweetheart who was getting picked on (never injured, just chased) has started occasionally spitting up/vomiting while just standing still. She is eating and drinking and everything, but her poops are a little runny. No one has laid an egg in a few days but I'm assuming that's from the stress of everyone suddenly being mean to each other and the heat (mountains of California, its HOT here right now).

The 'vomit' is clear, like water, and she doesn't appear to be acting ill or lethargic, she follows her friend around and they dust-bathe together. Is this something I should be concerned about, or is it probably stress related? I've read the other threads about vomiting quail and so far as I know she hasn't had anything stuck in her throat, and it didn't start after handling, so none of the other threads match my situation well enough to not post a question.

I really appreciate any help anyone can give - thanks!

 

[Xouie]

I’m sorry you didn’t get a response yet. If no other symptoms have come up, it sounds like she’s just drinking a bit too much at a time. Mine have done that in the heat too.

 

[PineconeQuail]

I’m sorry you didn’t get a response yet. If no other symptoms have come up, it sounds like she’s just drinking a bit too much at a time. Mine have done that in the heat too.

Thank you! I'm really hoping that is it - a mixture of stress and heat. I haven't seen her do it, and things have calmed down in the coop, so fingers crossed it was just a brief issue of drinking too much for a few days.

 

[Xouie]

Thank you! I'm really hoping that is it - a mixture of stress and heat. I haven't seen her do it, and things have calmed down in the coop, so fingers crossed it was just a brief issue of drinking too much for a few days.

I think you’ve got it well in hand. Going to tag a couple of other coturnix keepers though just to get second opinions.

@Nabiki @FloorCandy

 

[Nabiki]

From your description, it sounds like she was vomiting up water. I've had that happen if I pick a bird up right after it's been drinking (I'm careful to not do that now!).

Did this happen right after she drank a bunch of water? It could easily happen if she was out of water and gorged when she got fresh water.

I would worry if it keeps happening, but a one time event is probably just gorging on water.

 

[FloorCandy]

From your description, it sounds like she was vomiting up water. I've had that happen if I pick a bird up right after it's been drinking (I'm careful to not do that now!).

Did this happen right after she drank a bunch of water? It could easily happen if she was out of water and gorged when she got fresh water.

I would worry if it keeps happening, but a one time event is probably just gorging on water.

Agreed, I’ve had them vomit water on me when I pick them up, and I’ve seen them vomit water if they get startled right after drinking. If it’s only water, and isn’t a common occurrence, I wouldn’t worry too much.

 

[kurby22]

I just had something like this happen to me yesterday! And it was right after it had guzzled a bunch of water as well. My husband was in charge of water while I was gone over night and surprise it was empty when I got home :-(. Anyway the little guy drank a bunch and then started acting like he couldn’t breathe so I picked him up and he vomited water all over my hand. I agree with these ladies! If it keeps doing it there’s more cause for concern, but quail do a lot of dumb stuff like drink too fast, haha ;-)