New quail owner w/ a baby with a broken wing

[lkbrown44]

I have a young quail with a broken wing. My neighbors used to raise quail until they got bored and let them all go free about 3 years ago. Well my great Dane chased the adults and one of the babies got stuck in my tortoise enclosure. I noticed his right wing was hanging a bit low so I brought him with me when I went to the vet (I've been a volunteer for 6 years I'm 17 now) they gave him a free X-ray. He has two breaks at the distal heads of the radius and ulna. They splinted his wing and now I have no clue how to properly care for him. He has quail food and water. Any advice would be wonderful.

 

[TwoCrows]

If he is now out of pain and not suffering, he should be ok. If this has happened recently, make sure to keep him warm. Birds go into shock very easily when injured or stressed and shock causes them to get extremely cold. The shock can kill them faster than the injury. So I would keep him somewhere where it is not cool. (no inside with AC running)

How old is this baby? If he is not fully feathered than he will still need to be brooded. You might post a pic so we can judge his age if you are unsure.

How are you keeping him...in a cage/pen or aviary type thing? Offer him a natural environment and with cut branches from a nearby tree and prop them up in the corners so he can hide and feel safe. Give him a shallow pan of dirt or sand to dust bathe in. If he is actually a she, she will need some oystershell on the side so she can lay hard shelled eggs when she is ready. You will know his or her sex if she begins to lay eggs or he starts to crow.

Quail enjoy greens, cut up veggies, quartered fruit, seeds and mealworms. If you offer any of these things, make sure he has access to grit, sand or dirt so he can get stones for his gizzard.

Enjoy the new quail!

Oh, and welcome to BYC and the quail forums!

 

[lkbrown44]

Thanks. For the help. He's in a rabbit cage minus the rabbit. He's eating and drinking well and doesn't seem to be in any pain. He just lost the last of his baby down and is fully feathered. I wanted to post a picture of his X-ray and him but my phone won't let me. I'll make adjustments to his temporary home. I gave him some bird toys and he seems to really enjoy the bells. Oh and there's no ac in my house. 75 degrees is about the hottest it gets and 40is the average low temp

 

[TwoCrows]

You might also put in a tiny mirror so that when he sees himself, he will think there are other quail on the other side. Works with really tiny babies, it might work for him. You can also put in a feather duster with the feathers down so he can snuggle in with something feathered. Or even a stuffed animal so he doesn't feel lonely.

Since he is all alone, once he feels comfortable, you might start working with him and friendly him up as a pet. Quail are very intelligent and can make really good house pets. Take him out and let him wander around your room, on your bed, on you, ect...Let him explore and enjoy his surroundings. Always supervise his out of cage time. They can become real snugglers to their human companions if given the opportunity.

Good luck with this new baby!