Coturnix leg trouble...

[p.james]

My birds are about 9 weeks old and several weeks ago I realized that one of them could not straighten either leg. Both "knees" are swollen and the thing cannot stand. I have just been trying to decide what to do and then two days ago I noticed another in the same pen with the same trouble on one of his legs. This second one was bleeding from up high on the underside of his leg. Neither one is doing well and are unable to keep the others from pecking. I will have to go ahead and do something with them today most likely. Does anyone know what this might be? I do not have photos but if any of you have seen something similar I would love to hear from you. The birds are in raised pens. This particular one has 11 birds in 6 square feet, which is a ratio that seems to work fine in my other pen.

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

What size wire are they on for flooring? Sounds to me like it's possible their legs/feet are going through the wire on occasion.

David

 

[p.james]

it is 1/2 inch wire and i was thinking that same thing about the one that has been like this for a while, but the new development in the bird a couple of days ago doesn't add up. their feet are seemingly too big to fit through now. i just dont know.