Hatched Quail cannot stand

[gobukk]

Hi All,

We successfully hatched three button quails last Thursday (today is Tuesday), which are doing well. Last Saturday we noticed that in the incubator another quail tried to break through its egg, however struggled to do so. We helped it out of its egg, and left it in the incubator. We noticed soon after that it could not stand up. Today, four days later it is still lying in the incubator on its side and cannot stand or walk. It does move by rolling around and it can also move its legs somewhat. We have been hand-feeding it since Saturday and it eats fine. Here is a photo that shows its current state (now 3 days old):

Is there anything that we can do?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Nabiki]

That doesn't look good. Personally, I would cull that chick.

If you have something like that in the future, the earlier you try to treat it, the better. You might still try to see if you can get the legs to where they should be, but the chances of success aren't good.

 

[Quaicken108]

Hi All,

We successfully hatched three button quails last Thursday (today is Tuesday), which are doing well. Last Saturday we noticed that in the incubator another quail tried to break through its egg, however struggled to do so. We helped it out of its egg, and left it in the incubator. We noticed soon after that it could not stand up. Today, four days later it is still lying in the incubator on its side and cannot stand or walk. It does move by rolling around and it can also move its legs somewhat. We have been hand-feeding it since Saturday and it eats fine. Here is a photo that shows its current state (now 3 days old):
View attachment 2503917
Is there anything that we can do?

Thank you for your help!

That chick doesn’t seem to well. Are the legs stuck in that position or is there actual movement in them? If the chick can’t move it’s legs than I don’t think it has a good chance of making it. If there’s movement in the legs than there’s slightly more hope for it. I would try and get it into a position like standing so it’s more comfortable than lying there almost dead. Just another question... how was your incubator set up? Hope all is well.

 

[gobukk]

That chick doesn’t seem to well. Are the legs stuck in that position or is there actual movement in them? If the chick can’t move it’s legs than I don’t think it has a good chance of making it. If there’s movement in the legs than there’s slightly more hope for it. I would try and get it into a position like standing so it’s more comfortable than lying there almost dead. Just another question... how was your incubator set up? Hope all is well.

There is movement in the legs. If we touch the legs, the chick can feel it and pulls them back. However, it cannot stand on its legs. It falls over right away. The incubator was I think fine, since the other quails are well. I guess the problem was that this chick hatched 2 days later and could not break through the egg.

 

[Ravenlover]

Broken foot ?

 

[007Sean]

That doesn't look good. Personally, I would cull that chick.

If you have something like that in the future, the earlier you try to treat it, the better. You might still try to see if you can get the legs to where they should be, but the chances of success aren't good.

Ditto!

 

[suburban quail]

My experience has been that chicks that hatch late (or need help getting out of the shell) usually have problems. Some leg problems can be fixed if you get to work right away. On google, I have found great tips to fix curled up toes (with a band-aid) and spraddle leg (using a small cup for "training" and strengthening the legs. The small cup method may work for your guy.
Some preventative measures include: turning the eggs several times a day before they go into the incubator; maintain consistent humidity in the incubator, and laying a shelf liner in the incubator so that the chicks will have good footing as they are learning to walk during that first day or two. It is a good idea to watch the chicks carefully after hatching so that you can notice any leg problems right away and try to fix them.
It would be humane to cull this one if he does not improve. I have tried to keep them, but they have to be separated from the others, can't get to their feed and water without going around in endless circles and you have to bathe them as they get very dirty with a pasty butt
Best of luck!

 

[FloorCandy]

If you are invested in saving it, you need to get it upright ASAP. The longer it gains weight and doesn’t stand, the harder it will be for the leg muscles to strengthen. I recommend putting it in a cardboard tube, buttons are smaller than the coturnix I’m used to, you might need to narrow the tube. You want the curve of the tube to cradle the chick in the sitting up position, however it looks like the toes might be curled as well so you need to tape them flat and straight first. There are several threads on taping toes if you search this site. You will want to make sure it stays in a sitting position, feet and legs under the body in the proper way. After a day of this, see if it stands when outside the tube. Good luck.

 

[gobukk]

If you are invested in saving it, you need to get it upright ASAP. The longer it gains weight and doesn’t stand, the harder it will be for the leg muscles to strengthen. I recommend putting it in a cardboard tube, buttons are smaller than the coturnix I’m used to, you might need to narrow the tube. You want the curve of the tube to cradle the chick in the sitting up position, however it looks like the toes might be curled as well so you need to tape them flat and straight first. There are several threads on taping toes if you search this site. You will want to make sure it stays in a sitting position, feet and legs under the body in the proper way. After a day of this, see if it stands when outside the tube. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your advice. We tried the tube method (more like a cone) with its feet taped to straighten up the curled toes. Surprisingly the curled toes flattened themselves in a day! It still can't stand or sit properly on its own but the poor thing eats so well...It also does have strength and movement in legs. The problem is that one leg is rotated internally so it throws off the balance. I know it's not really splayed but we taped both legs together with some space in between as if we're treating splayed legs. It's now sitting (or trying to stand) inside a headset earpiece. It doesnt like the tape of course but what can we do...hope it can recover soon Please let me know if you have any other suggestion!

Also, any recommendations on cleaning its hair? I've been just rubbing with a q-tip but not very effective especially in the belly area. It is possible some of the honey water I've been feeding got on its hair...Tempted to use rubbing IPA but i am worried it might get too cold.

 

[Quail 66]

I had exactly the same problem. I made that splint and put it inside after wrapping the toes and then wrapping it all together with paper wrap ( she lost some feathers) so she would keep the legs in the right position. The splint helped her stand so she could eat and drink. the "sides" helped from falling on one side. I was feeding her with nutritional yeast in water and moving her around so the poop wouldn't stack. She moves relatively fine now but she is often bullied and her legs are not strong. I don't know if she is in pain when the weather changes and I wouldn't do it again. But she was so determined to live I couldn't let her starve. I think she is 9 months old now.