Head tucked and backing up. What's wrong?

[4mulligans]

My 4 week old coturnix quail has its head tucked to its chest, is often backing up and even does somersaults. What is wrong and what can we do? There is no blood in the stool, but we started it on Corid to treat possible cocci yesterday. I don't see any improvement. Thanks for any advice you can share.

 

[DK newbie]

I believe I read something about a much younger chick doing something similar, on here months ago. I think they started giving it vitamins and as I recall, it actually got better.
Is that the only chick you have? Are you feeding it a high protein gamebird starter or similar?

 

[4mulligans]

Thanks, I had tried electrolytes, but something I read said not to add anything into the Corid. I can try that again and some vitamins. We have 9 chicks and they are all on gamebird feed which we put through the blender. This is the only one with issues. It received more loving from my 13 year old than the others since it was more docile when held. It still seems strong and can fly. I was wondering if it was a neurological issue or something like an ear infection. That is what I might think if it were human.

 

[LocalYokel]

My 4 week old coturnix quail has its head tucked to its chest, is often backing up and even does somersaults. What is wrong and what can we do? There is no blood in the stool, but we started it on Corid to treat possible cocci yesterday. I don't see any improvement. Thanks for any advice you can share.

Neurological damage.

Most likely 'Jumped" and bumped its head enough to damage the neck/central nervous system

 

[LocalYokel]

It can interfere with feeding to a point that they starve.

Sometimes they feed ok and will live to lay eggs. Yours looks male though. If you harvest your males for meat he may make it, may not.
You can feel how much meat they have on them and if the breastbone sticks out alot you know he's not feeding and you should consider putting him down/


Especially If you think he's in pain.

 

[LocalYokel]

ScoreCharacteristics
0 The edge of the keel is rough, sharp, and prominent. Very little breast muscle can be felt, and the breast on either side of the keel feels hollow or concave. This bird is very thin.
1 The keel is prominent, but doesn't feel sharp. There is some breast muscle, and the breast on either side of the keel feels flat. This bird is thin.
2 The keel is less prominent, and the edge is smoother. The breast muscle is well developed. The breast on either side of the keel is rounded or convex. This bird is in good condition.
3 The keel feels smooth and not very prominent. Feeling the edge of the keel may be difficult through the plump, rounded breast muscles. This is a fat bird.

 

[4mulligans]

Thank you!!!! We have him separated due to the fear he may be contagious. Because of that we can see he is eating well and his weight is good at 130 grams. He looks and acts somewhat normal at least 1/2 of the time although we noticed that he was looking down, as in this picture I just took, the night before we noticed his very unusaul behavior.
He seems to be able to sleep well so hopefully he isn't in too much discomfort. None of our quail are for meat as they are all beloved pets. Thank you very much for helping with the diagnosis. Knowing that, we will put him back wtih the others. We can also take him off the antibiotics and just give him probiotics and vitamins/electrolytes.

 

[LocalYokel]

Thank you!!!! We have him separated due to the fear he may be contagious. Because of that we can see he is eating well and his weight is good at 130 grams. He looks and acts somewhat normal at least 1/2 of the time although we noticed that he was looking down, as in this picture I just took, the night before we noticed his very unusaul behavior. He seems to be able to sleep well so hopefully he isn't in too much discomfort. None of our quail are for meat as they are all beloved pets. Thank you very much for helping with the diagnosis. Knowing that, we will put him back wtih the others. We can also take him off the antibiotics and just give him probiotics and vitamins/electrolytes.

Anytime! Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. It's not contagious in any way Some have put plastic netting (like for a garden) as a false ceiling, somewhat taut, to help absorb the shock of the impact. They just jump if startled.

 

[4mulligans]

Great idea! Thanks! He seemed agressive for the first minute when put back with the others, but has settled down and is enjoying the Corid-free water.

 

[LocalYokel]

Great idea! Thanks! He seemed agressive for the first minute when put back with the others, but has settled down and is enjoying the Corid-free water. 

Good to hear