Bumps on rescue quails' beaks for over 8 weeks

[quailrescuer]

I noticed one of our rescue quails, "Autumn", with a big bloody bump on her beak in late May. We separated her shortly after. A couple weeks later, another one of our girls, "Summer", developed a much smaller black bump. They're currently living together, isolated from the rest of the flock. They've had a round of antibiotics, iodine on the bumps, and have their enclosure stripped twice a week. No other symptoms except for some breathing noises when we pick them up and hold them. Nothing concerning looking in their mouths. Still laying every day, eating, drinking, bathing, good poops.

It's been 8 weeks now and while there's no more blood, the size of both bumps is exactly the same. The girls are growing restless and I'm considering bringing them back to their flock (though separated by some wire so they're not fully integrated). We originally thought it could be pox, but it's quite rare where we are (Vancouver area) and my understanding is that it should be cleared up by now if so.

What should we do? It breaks my heart having them isolated from their flock, but obviously I don't want the others to get sick if it's contagious. Any help would be endlessly appreciated.

Click on an image to expand it.

"Autumn" 8 weeks apart (May 29 - Present)


"Summer" 6 weeks apart (June 11 - Present)

 

[le_bwah]

Hmm. You sometimes see wounds like this in birds who spend a lot of time stress-pacing against a wire wall—results in a sort of repeated abrasion injury (think "cheese grater" effect) that is not contagious.

It doesn't' look like a disease I know of, but other folks could know more. Whatever it is, they look better with care. I hope it clears up and isn't contagious!