_Jay_Bird_
In the Brooder
- Feb 1, 2021
- 11
- 23
- 31
So a week or so ago rats managed to get into our quail enclosure. Only 3 of them survived and one of them has lost a significant amount of feathers. Many flight feathers seem to be missing but there's been no bleeding.
What I’m more worried about is her back. Her entire bottom up to where her wings meet her back is completely plucked bare of feathers, and the skin there is very dry and leathery. By the looks of it, new feathers are starting to push through, but the area around those points is so dry and thick, it’s almost crusty. Is there anything I should be worried about? My instinct would be to find some way to moisturise the skin but I have absolutely no idea where to start with that and I don’t want to cause any further harm.
Should I be worried about diseases getting to the exposed skin? I’m certain that the others aren’t bullying or pecking her, and for the meantime they're spending their evenings inside until we can find a way to rat proof their enclosure for good.
What I’m more worried about is her back. Her entire bottom up to where her wings meet her back is completely plucked bare of feathers, and the skin there is very dry and leathery. By the looks of it, new feathers are starting to push through, but the area around those points is so dry and thick, it’s almost crusty. Is there anything I should be worried about? My instinct would be to find some way to moisturise the skin but I have absolutely no idea where to start with that and I don’t want to cause any further harm.
Should I be worried about diseases getting to the exposed skin? I’m certain that the others aren’t bullying or pecking her, and for the meantime they're spending their evenings inside until we can find a way to rat proof their enclosure for good.