Deformed backyard bobwhites

[Danny C.]

Have a male and a female that limp and wasn’t sure if should cull them. Was told to clip nails since using game chow @ 30% protein nails will grow longer. Of the 22 I have outside there are 4-5 of them missing toes or nails. The two that limp are just deformed feet. Bought as adults and not raised as chicks so should I just let be and see once start laying and breeding? Should start laying anytime and of course once they settle down from me netting them this morning to check and clip needed nails. I baby this cuties and have done no harm, this is what I bought last December.
Pictures below.

 

[JaeG]

@007Sean should be able to tell you.

 

[Danny C.]

@007Sean should be able to tell you.

You’re right.

 

[Chickens_4Life]

CLIP ITS NAILS. The second picture you gave me had an extremely long nail. If the nails are too long, the nails will prevent them from walking properly. If you are going to clip them, cut only up to the vain. Don't cut the vein. This is as far as I can tell. Good luck!

 

[007Sean]

Unless they can't get around an have a decent quality of life, I would just "let it be".
It's obvious that the bird in the pic was raised on wire....swollen, rough pads, long nails. It also appears to be an old bird, judging by it's beak and the scalelyness of it's legs.
If I were you, i would cut back on the % protein your feeding. 24% is more than adequate for adult quail.

 

[Danny C.]

CLIP ITS NAILS. The second picture you gave me had an extremely long nail. If the nails are too long, the nails will prevent them from walking properly. If you are going to clip them, cut only up to the vain. Don't cut the vein. This is as far as I can tell. Good luck!

I did just like my dog nails. Not much just enough I believe. That long one I didn’t even see a vine but only 3rd off of it. They only squealed when held cause have not been handled. First bash from breeder that sells to game ranches, so kind of a rescue you could say and second bash from egg breeder.

 

[Danny C.]

Unless they can't get around an have a decent quality of life, I would just "let it be".
It's obvious that the bird in the pic was raised on wire....swollen, rough pads, long nails. It also appears to be an old bird, judging by it's beak and the scalelyness of it's legs.
If I were you, i would cut back on the % protein your feeding. 24% is more than adequate for adult quail.

2/3 is game chow and other 1/3 is groovy scratch. As they go into laying season soon, do 24% now and hold onto 30% for chicks? Crushed to powder for chicks of course.

 

[Danny C.]

2/3 is game chow and other 1/3 is groovy scratch. As they go into laying season soon, do 24% now and hold onto 30% for chicks? Crushed to powder for chicks of course.

Call them my kids now.

 

[007Sean]

2/3 is game chow and other 1/3 is groovy scratch. As they go into laying season soon, do 24% now and hold onto 30% for chicks? Crushed to powder for chicks of course.

I only feed my birds "scratch" in the winter months. The extra starch helps them to maintain body heat in cold weather. Otherwise, if fed year round the birds will put on too much body fat, which can lead to other problems and interfer with egg production.

 

[Danny C.]

Thanks! That’s good to know. So scratch is out then. Didn’t know. Will go to feed and seed store and find 24% feed for them.