Hello I’m new and need help please

[Bobwhitelady]

My 3 week old quail just started twitching at night when he sleeps and then he does flips (somersaults) he tucks his head under and starts to lose control. It is heartbreaking to watch. When he starts to fall asleep he stands and hangs his head down and falls over like he is drunk and the rolls (flips) Has anyone seen this before?? I have videos. Please help me help him!!! He gets stuck on his back sometimes.

 

[Jaeden Mckinley]

My 3 week old quail just started twitching at night when he sleeps and then he does flips (somersaults) he tucks his head under and starts to lose control. It is heartbreaking to watch. When he starts to fall asleep he stands and hangs his head down and falls over like he is drunk and the rolls (flips) Has anyone seen this before?? I have videos. Please help me help him!!! He gets stuck on his back sometimes.

It could be a viral infection called Avian encephalomyelitis this link should help look up Tremovirus Virus

Search Results
Description:
Avian encephalomyelitis is a viral infection affecting the CNS of several species of birds. Signs include tremors, ataxia, and weakness that progresses to paralysis. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, histopathologic findings, virus isolation, and detection of virus genome by RT-PCR assay.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/avian-encephalomyelitis/avian-encephalomyelitis#:~:text=Avian encephalomyelitis is a viral,genome by RT-PCR assay.


It could also be Mareks Disease, it causes "Drunkness" in other poultry.

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here in this poultry lovers community. I hope you find the cause and a cure soon.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC! sorry you are having this issue. Thanks for joining us.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I'm so sorry for the problem you are facing. Good luck to you and your quail.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck with your poor quail.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Twitching and loss of balance is definitely something neurological of some sort. Quail often boink their heads on the ceiling if they flush up to hard and fast, bacterial or viral brain swelling from mosquito bites can cause these symptoms your bird exhibits. I had a female Bobwhite that contracted West Nile Virus late fall one year. She twitched pretty badly and slept away much of the days for months, she also showed signs of liver failure. With supportive care of heat and the only food she would eat, (peaches and mealworms) by April of the following year she completely recovered.

I am not sure there is much you can do for your bird other than supportive care and if the bird is not showing signs of improvement or has no quality of life, I would suggest putting the bird down.

 

[RoyalChick]

Sorry to hear about your quail. I hope you find someone who can help. Welcome to BYC.

 

[Bobwhitelady]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Twitching and loss of balance is definitely something neurological of some sort. Quail often boink their heads on the ceiling if they flush up to hard and fast, bacterial or viral brain swelling from mosquito bites can cause these symptoms your bird exhibits. I had a female Bobwhite that contracted West Nile Virus late fall one year. She twitched pretty badly and slept away much of the days for months, she also showed signs of liver failure. With supportive care of heat and the only food she would eat, (peaches and mealworms) by April of the following year she completely recovered.

I am not sure there is much you can do for your bird other than supportive care and if the bird is not showing signs of improvement or has no quality of life, I would suggest putting the bird down.

He is completely fine during the day and lives a happy life. I just started giving him vitamins today, so hopefully that will help him. It only happens when he is sleeping at night. He did not hit his head as I have a net on his bin. And he is currently living in doors. It just seems weird that it just started a few days ago. Thanks!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

I had a small 2 mont old rooster that is doing the same thing that yours is about 3 months ago. He died 3 days later.

It doesn’t mean that yours is going to die. Because I don’t know what even happened to him. Hopefully you find a way to help him.