I think I have a sick Japanese Quail - HELP!

[300397]

THE QUESTION IS DOWN BELOW, THIS PART IS JUST HOW I EXPLAIN HOW I GOT TO BE WHERE I AM, I FELT IT WOULD SEEM VERY STRANGE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP WITHOUT MUCH CONTEXT, THANK YOU AGAIN!

Hello everyone! I am a long time lurker but first time poster, I have to thank you all for teaching me how to raise happy, healthy quail! But now I need some advice...

I have 10 Jap Quail in a big outdoor aviary, but I also have 1 Button Quail. I used to have 4, I lost 2 in the first day because they managed to squeeze themselves out of an INCREDIBLY tiny hole - which is now fixed - but I was foolish and found another had drowned in the night, so I am down to the one. I feel incredibly guilty for losing them, but the little one has been getting along just fine... until Spring.

Yes, we're into spring in Australia and probably 2 weeks in, I saw the Button pretty much plucked and bloody. She was okay, skittish and injured but moving fine and eating & drinking normally - although I knew she couldn't be with the big Quail any longer (I do have an aggressive male, the resistant ladies do have peach heads at the moment, they're all okay, though it is tough to see.)

I don't have any other cages though, but I do have a shed that is pretty much a Granny Flat with multiple rooms to it, so I thought since it is a flightless bird, she would have plenty of room to wander around and recover. I lay new towels on the floor everyday, I sprinkle seeds all over them for her to peck at throughout the day, and of course a change of water. I have placed blankets and towels in and around places she may get under and potentially peck around for something not so good, and she's been getting better & bolder each day.

Though on the 3rd day into her rehabilitation, I decided to bring another female Quail in from the aviary because I can the Button was very intimidated by my presence (the Shed is basically where I work on my computer and such so I would be able to watch her) and she would call out for fellow friends which made my heart hurt. I brought in my Texas A&M, the most beautiful natured, relaxed Quail I think ever. She lets me handle her like a dream, and she is my favourite. Button was very happy to see A&M, and A&M started preening her. They do have a beautiful little friendship.

THE QUESTION IS HERE!

So this morning I greet them like normal, A&M was very hungry this morning so I threw her her seeds and did the water change, everything was normal, her curious, friendly, hungry self. I return after some house work and I see A&M standing in the corner with her eyes closed. I just knew something was really different about her... I picked her up with ease as normal, but a bit too easily. She seems really lazy & disinterested. I usually put her back in the aviary with everyone during the day time to sand bathe, run in the grass & sun and socialise. I put her in and watched her for about 10 minutes. Everyone is bumping into her, she is walking VERY slowly, and won't sit down.

I am so confused, she was perfectly normal this morning, she even laid an egg on my lap yesterday evening without even knowing! This is how sweet she really is.

My suspicion is that I was ignorant and foolish and she somehow ate something she shouldn't have... I know that is a BIG precaution I took and I feel so, so guilty yet again. Is there anything I could give her that could make her feel better? Detox/flush her system somehow? My fear is she's eaten a bug that was poisoned a while ago... I'm watching little Button preen her right now, I absolutely love these birds.

 

[JaeG]

I'm so sorry! Quail are awesome pets. Do you think she could be egg bound? Or has she got a fright, flushed upwards and given herself a good knock on the head maybe? Those are the two most common reasons for a droopy quail. We had a Button chick give itself a good whack on the head and we found it lying on its side, not moving - my daughter of course was so worried about it, asking if it was going to die. It took a little while but it did recover (thankfully). All I know is that quail are amazingly tough birds. &

 

[300397]

I'm so sorry! Quail are awesome pets. Do you think she could be egg bound? Or has she got a fright, flushed upwards and given herself a good knock on the head maybe? Those are the two most common reasons for a droopy quail. We had a Button chick give itself a good whack on the head and we found it lying on its side, not moving - my daughter of course was so worried about it, asking if it was going to die. It took a little while but it did recover (thankfully). All I know is that quail are amazingly tough birds. &

You know what, you're right! Probably 20 minutes after, I heard her rustling and there was a warm egg by her. I feel bad now for moving her around while she tried to lay, I just couldnt believe how quickly she laid again, about 12-14 hours after the last!

I take she is enjoying her time running around the shed with the Button and myself occasionally. She's back to foraging & exploring

 

[DK newbie]

What a sad - and cute - story. I really hope your A&M gets better! I don't really have any clues beside JaeG's suggestions. Though I guess if she laid an egg in the afternoon the day before, she's unlikely to be eggbound in the morning the next day.
Most poisons that are used against insects actually have no effect on vertebrates, so I find the poisoned bug theory unlikely as well.
If boinking really is the answer, the positive thing is she's unlikely to do it again as long as she's weak, so you can probably keep her in the shed with the button till she recovers - the button is less likely to hurt her than the cots are.
Make sure she's warm and comfortable - a heat lamp might help - and eats and drinks enough. You mention feeding them seeds - is that all they get? Both buttons and coturnix actually need around 19% protein - even more for optimum egg laying - and you'll rarely find a seed mix that has more than 13%. It might not have caused her current condition (unless she actually is egg bound), but fixing her diet might help her heal faster. Usually people recommend feeding game bird starter to quail. Also make sure they have a calcium supplement.

 

[DK newbie]

Oh, an update while I was writing my answer! I'm so happy it was just an egg, and that she was able to pass it. Sure was a short interval between two eggs though! I've heard of 18 hours, but 14 really is unusual. Very productive hen you've got there.

 

[JaeG]

I'm glad she's ok. Make sure she always has a calcium source such as oyster shell grit available. When young they can lay two eggs in a short period of time so they need their calcium.