Egg Bound Quail

[DanAndQuails]

Today I noticed my female button quail wasn't eating or drinking. At first I thought she was dehydrated. I gave her some fluid, and I waited about an hour but nothing improved. I did some research and looked at her vent, and saw that she was egg bound. Using olive oil, I was able to massage the egg out. It was completely soft and she did not seem to feel better although the egg was out. I recently switched her food, and I think that a calcium deficiency was the problem. What can I do to help her? She isn't moving much, isn't eating or drinking, and her eyes are closed unless I touch her. Does she just need some time to recuperate? I feel terrible; everything has been going wrong with these quail. Thanks.

 

[TwoCrows]

I had that happen with a female Bobwhite. It took her a few days to recover from it. I think it may have caused her poop to back up and make her a bit ill. I read some place that sometimes when females get really over heated, they can lay soft egg shells.

If she continues to look sick, you could try a 5 day round of some antibiotics to help any infection she might have contracted. Make sure she has plenty of crushed oyster shell on hand or even cuttle bone. Kale is high in calcium as well.

 

[DanAndQuails]

What kind of antibiotics?

 

[TwoCrows]

Any of the tetracyclines will work....Duramycin, Oxytetracycline, Chlortetracycline, etc...These all work well on E-coli's and Enteritis's that she may have contracted. Hope she gets better soon.

Edit to add: These antibiotics are run for 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity. Normally you keep them on antibiotics for 5 days past all symptoms.

 

[GrandmaBird]

This is a button? I believe you should just place her in a nice quiet place where the temp can be maintained at 80-85 degrees with a bit of higher humidity for 10-12 hours. be sure she can get to some food and water but is alone and quiet. you can even cover the cage leaving room for air to circulate but that she can rest. i would not give her antibiotics without taking her to a vet. Buttons are too small to just give them a dose. IMHO
good luck

 

[DanAndQuails]

Thanks for the quick reply, but unfortunately, she passed away. :'(