Have a quail crop issue

[Crazy4Chicks]

I have 4 coturnix quail ( adults )

one of my females I have noticed has a very large crop - feels like a squishy water balloon.

they are inside in a cage that is 48 X 24 - they are fed 30% protein quail food along with other treats like cooked rice -- corn -- and I grow grass in swallow dishes and when it " needs to be mowed " I let them have it for the day along with food and treats they have fresh water

should I remove the food at night to let her crop go down ?

I have felt the crop area and I can not feel anything in it ( other than the squishy feeling ) it does not feel like there is anything impacting her crop.

she is still very active eating - drinking - running around - mating - and lays an egg a day ( I think she is my double yolk layer )

culling her is NOT something I want to do since I only have 1 male and 3 females.

so any advice to offer ?

 

[Bettacreek]

Sounds like she just has a full crop. I wouldn't worry about it if there doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

well I have noticed it has been squishy like this for a few days now
it does not seem to be slowing her down or anytihng - but I am going to have to name her " Dolly "

wonder if I should invent a quail bra for her

 

[monarc23]

I honestly wouldnt worry about it too much but keep an eye on her if she's still acting well maybe she just has a fattier crop area than the others it sounds like you spoil them well

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

thank you both for the fast answers LOL

my quail are very spoil rotten - since I no longer have my chickens the quail are getting 100% of all my attetion ( well that and my dogs )

I have 1 white male and 3 brown females ( I guess they are standard brown color ?? ) they are living the good life inside -- the rest of the flock went to live at the local zoo as bottom of the flight run cleaners they are loving it there !

I want to move my 4 to an outside pen but I live inside city limits and I am not sure they are allowed outside - I really do need to do something they STINK

I am having to clean the cage at least 2 times a week

and I clean the buttons once a week

I will keep an eye on Dolly and make sure she does not get to front end heavy

I cooked our first quail dinner last night

I had a few extra males

now my DH wants me to put a few more eggs in the bator and hatch a couple more to process

 

[KareyABohr]

I think she is just a big eater. I had this with one of my delewares. She turned out to be my best layer too. I thought she had a tumor at first and I just let her be.

Good luck with her, but I have found the best 'eaters' are also the best producers.

 

[Bettacreek]

Yeah, as long as she's acting normal and the crop isn't hard or funky smelling or whatever, then don't worry about it. They're SUPPOSED to have squishy crops, and a "big" crop is just a full crop in most cases.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

oh good to know she is normal LOL



hmmm does this mean I need to take her to Weight Watchers if she gets any bigger ? LOL

I added a shoebox filled with soil and shavings today to give them something to do - so maybe it will help her burn off some of that food she is gobbling down LOL

I know they are coturnix quail but dang they eat like cornish meat birds - what a bunch of little piggies I have !