My male is a racist. I think my beautiful tux is not going to make it.

[le_bwah]

So sorry about your tux! Try giving her water in a small container lid so she won't tip it over on accident. You can always administer water by pipette or syringe if you're certain she's not taking it. Keeping her warm and hydrated is key, as these birds heal very fast when given the chance.

Don't lose hope for her eyes. I've seen some gnarly scalpings through this site that resolved into funky hairdos within a month. Give her time and space and she just might surprise you.

That said, please be prepared to do the humane thing if it turns out she has lost her vision. Culling is painful for many owners, but it prevents future suffering in the animal. There are folks here who can walk you through it if that's what's needed.

Best of luck to you and your birds!

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

@le_bwah,

The guilt-ridden thought of culling her crossed my mind yesterday. That evening, however, one eye opened. It was the one I thought least likely to still be intact. I'm still holding out hope for the other. It's only been three days so I need to be patient and see. She doesn't seem to be suffering, thankfully, although with birds it's hard to tell.

So, at least it's a little bit of good news. I'm still surprised that there was anything left of her head under the bloody mess.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

Big update: It looks like my tuxedo hen still has two eyes. I am so surprised. She's recovering well. She's also become much more accustomed to handling, so she'll probably be given away or sold as an egg-laying pet. How strange life is, going from near death to a life of luxury. Same thing happened when a stray kitten jumped in our car engine and became a member of the household.

Thank you everyone for walking me through this and convincing me there was hope.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

It's been nine days and tuxedo hen is doing better. One of her eyes is still only about half open, but they're both there. Today she started calling out for other quail. I'm not sure where to put her yet, but it's at least a few days before I can put her back with other birds.

 

[Quail 66]

It's been nine days and tuxedo hen is doing better. One of her eyes is still only about half open, but they're both there. Today she started calling out for other quail. I'm not sure where to put her yet, but it's at least a few days before I can put her back with other birds.

Don't rush. Even in a new flock they will probably peck her if they see she is injured. I speak from experience. So glad she's fine

 

[le_bwah]

It's been nine days and tuxedo hen is doing better. One of her eyes is still only about half open, but they're both there. Today she started calling out for other quail. I'm not sure where to put her yet, but it's at least a few days before I can put her back with other birds.

Relieved to hear she has her eyes! They are hardly little animals, so glad you didn't give up on her!

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

Update: I don't think tuxedo hen will heal completely. One eyelid is permanently maimed, although I think she can see through what does open. Rather than cull all the extra males, I kept her brother who looks like her. I put her in the brooder with him and she started making these cooing noises. They seem to get along. I'll add a few white hens in a big cage/run and see how they do. I don't plan to breed these, but having a male (as shy and awkward as he is) will probably help to keep the peace. Will post pics soon.

 

[MomFoldingLaundry]

The one tuxedo male I had was aggressive, and had to be culled. My lone pharaoh/wild type male is mellow as can be.

My experience with scalping is that they can recover if you remove them the first day it happens. clean them gently and leave them alone in a quiet, dark enclosure. Also, my younger kid saw online that quail like reggae music.

She played reggae for the quail we nursed back to health.

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

She was doing better, so I put her and her new companion in a new habitat with 3 other newly homed quail. Things were going well, a little vinegar spray seemed to solve most squabbles between birds.

Then, she got comfortable, jumped into the large sandbath and proceeded to take a long "soak." She scrubbed the scab clear off her head, and it was a huge scab covering everything over the top from one eye to the other.

At that point, I knew it was just a matter of time before the white birds picked on her to further injury. The white birds were removed, leaving just her and her companion, who thus far doesn't seem to mind her new hairdo. In fact, he seems quite happy to have no competition and to be alone with the one bird he is comfortable with. As I've discovered though, tomorrow is a new day.