Are my quail sick or injured?

[Mini Meat]

Were to begin?

I have 36 quail all 6 weeks old.

I have 3 groups of 1 male + 6 females that I separated as breeders about a week ago.

The remaining males are in a grow out pen.

3 days ago I noticed that 3 of the females in one group had blood at the top of their beaks, right at the "hair" line.

I suspected that either the male was starting to try to breed them or that they may have gotten injured on their water bottle (rabbit type) since I had moved it up a bit higher the night before. That would have changed the angle that their beaks worked the ball.

Just to be safe I moved them into quarantine since it was in the vicinity of their nasal area.

Now, three days later, they seem fine, they never had any coughing, swelling, sneezing, they are eating and drinking and dusting.

BUT... they all 3 have a crust on the bridge of their beaks. 1 has a slight crust, 1 has a major crust covering the nostrils and on the lower beak, 1 is in between.

Now, normally I would assume it was nasal discharge, BUT... I feed fermented feed and it has the same color and texture of dry FF.

Am I kidding myself hoping that they are not sick and that the FF has just stuck to their scabs and built up?

I researched Coryza, MG and many other respiratory illnesses and all describe additional symptoms which my birds simply do not have.

Any input apreciated. If I need a reality check, please... check away.

 

[kingmt]

I think your assumptions are correct but a picture would be helpful.

 

[Mini Meat]

I think your assumptions are correct but a picture would be helpful.

Thank you for your reply.

I took some bad pictures. Quail are hard to photograph by yourself. I will try to get better ones later when I have some help.

 

[kingmt]

I'll wait for the better pictures.

 

[lightchick]

I think they look fine. Just FF stuck to their beak. It's hard to tell in the pics though.
Did you try washing it off?

 

[Mini Meat]

I think they look fine. Just FF stuck to their beak. It's hard to tell in the pics though.
Did you try washing it off?

I have washed all sort of nasty things off birds butts, toes, etc. I did try, but can't think of any way to soak a birds head. I tried hot compresses but no luck. I quit when the birds got too stressed and started to "shut down". After I get better pics., I will try coconut oil on the blobs and see if that works.

Thank you for the help

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Wash the crust off gently with a wet paper towel. If the quail show any symptoms, I would try the vet or a change of diet...