My Male Quail Health!

[ChickensandQuailwithHails]

Hey, everyone! So I noticed that my male quail named Kevin was having trouble walking. I was able to hold him and notice that he had a GIANT poop ball on his nail! I dipped his feet in water and a few seconds later the whole thing fell off; nail and all!!! He still has some nail but it is bleeding a tiny bit. I made sure to dry it but should I clean it? If so, with what that wouldn’t be too strong? I also feel like his eye lids are puffy. He’s probably 2-3 years old and is such a handsome and sweet boy! The app won’t let me add pics so if anyone knows please tell me! Thank you guys!

 

[ChickensandQuailwithHails]

He has other poop balls on his feet but I didn’t want to take them off all at once!

 

[nuthatched]

What do you keep them in and how often does it get matenienced?

 

[ChickensandQuailwithHails]

What do you keep them in and how often does it get matenienced?

I keep them in a sort of playpen structure that is closed on the top. I am trying to move them outside onto grass with sand and a nice run but I have to convince my parents. I clean it usually every 2-3 weeks but I clean it up in between often. I’m trying to start cleaning it more so probably once a week but they keep things clean for a long time unless things get rained on. They get water and food every time it runs out! Sry to bother you but thank you so much!

 

[nuthatched]

I keep them in a sort of playpen structure that is closed on the top. I am trying to move them outside onto grass with sand and a nice run but I have to convince my parents. I clean it usually every 2-3 weeks but I clean it up in between often. I’m trying to start cleaning it more so probably once a week but they keep things clean for a long time unless things get rained on. They get water and food every time it runs out! Sry to bother you but thank you so much!

Not a bother at all. What type of ground media do they have,

 

[ChickensandQuailwithHails]

Not a bother at all. What type of ground media do they have,

I found that using puppy pads and shaving works well!!! They get to have shavings spread so they can keep playing in them! I tried sand but with the enclosures that they are in now it wouldn’t work! I used to get them dust bathes and they loved it so I might try that again!

 

[nuthatched]

I found that using puppy pads and shaving works well!!! They get to have shavings spread so they can keep playing in them! I tried sand but with the enclosures that they are in now it wouldn’t work! I used to get them dust bathes and they loved it so I might try that again!

Shaving are great, though there might not be enough for them to keep from stepping on their poop, they likely need drier conditions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you provide them with a pan of dirt?

I used to put a few tubs of peatmoss mixed with a little sand in the Quail hutches for them to dust bath in, this did help a little with the poop balls.

Quail are messy, so poop balls can be a thing. If the bedding is kept dry, the balls won't build up quite so much.

Now, IF you have very steady hands and/or some help. Take this as it comes. I used to take a small pair of pliers or even scissors and "crush" the poop balls to help get them to fall off more easily. You still have to be Extremely careful or you can cut through or pinch a toe, pull off a nail, break a toe or foot, Quail feet are pretty fragile. If you don't feel confident in crushing them, soaking them off is a better way to go. (And yes, unfortunately I've pulled off a nail before. Rinse well, keep the bedding dry and monitor it. I did not put anything on the nail).

I agree with you, it looks like Kevin does have something going on with the eye. I'd put a little dab of Terramycin eye ointment in the eye and on the tissue around the eye. Do this at least once daily, two if he's agreeable. (He looks agreeable and he's handsome too!).

Hard to know what's going on with the eye, could be dusty bedding, the time of year, bugs/gnats, some type of irritation, but I'd try to head it off by going ahead and treating.