No leg use in quail

[Eddie12109]

Hi all! I have already asked about this girl in another section but I was wondering if you have ever dealt with it. I will attach the thread. Thank you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ascites-draining.1504856/post-25224906

 

[Eddie12109]

I tried to attach where I started asking about the quail.

 

[Nabiki]

Can it move its legs at all? The legs don't look splayed to me, but that could just be the way you're holding it.

What is it being fed? Is it underweight? Do you know how long it's been unable to walk?

It might have hit its head, which if pretty common for quail. If that is the case, based on your picture, I would expect it to recover in a few days. It looks alert, but if it's something else, it's hard to say.

If the quail is actually splay legged, it's too late to fix it at this age, and I would cull. If it's a head bonk, I would give it a few days to see if there is improvement. Keep it warm in the meantime, and make sure it's getting a high protein feed. Young quail should be getting game bird feed with 28-30% protein.

 

[Eddie12109]

The legs and toes won’t move at all. I pinched them and tried to wiggle and there was no reaction

She is roughly 2 months old
And no one here knows what feed she is getting.

What protein source can I give her? I know for chickens it’s mealworms. Would that work?

Is splayed leg when she is doing the splits? I forgot but she is in the normal laying position. When I put her in front of the water she drinks and eats. She is acting normally and sort of flopping around trying to move.

So at the farm she it at, I don’t think she will be getting much attention since I won’t be here over the next two days. Is it worth bringing her home or will she be fine here without receiving any special attention?

 

[Nabiki]

That doesn't sound good. My first thought is going to feed. A common mistake among first time quail owners is feeding them the same feed that they give their chickens. This can cause a lot of issues, including not being able to stand.

Mealworms are a good source of protein, but they are high in fat, so shouldn't be fed in large quantities. Black soldier fly larvae are good, as is boiled, crushed egg.

This bird will not likely survive without special attention. If you are willing to put in the attention, you can see if it recovers with proper feed, but if it doesn't show signs of improvement after a week, it probably won't get better.

 

[Eddie12109]

She is eating quail food, they just don’t know what percent of protein or name of it.
I will give her some mealworms. The only issue with me bringing her home is if she will give something contagious to my old lady hens?
I will attach a photo of the food

 

[Nabiki]

She is eating quail food, they just don’t know what percent of protein or name of it.
I will give her some mealworms. The only issue with me bringing her home is if she will give something contagious to my old lady hens?

Can you keep her isolated inside? That is a valid concern. I have seen "quail" food that is as low as 12% protein, so a brand would help.

 

[Eddie12109]

I’m sorry, they have no idea about brand name. I bring my chickens inside the porch and they sleep in the garage so I have no idea where I will put the quail. And I definitely don’t want her bringing something contagious.
I’m stuck. What do you think? She will be without anyone taking her to the waters for two days. That is unless she starts moving. But I have a 6, 7 and 9 year old hens and I can’t let them get anything

 

[Nabiki]

I’m sorry, they have no idea about brand name. I bring my chickens inside the porch and they sleep in the garage so I have no idea where I will put the quail. And I definitely don’t want her bringing something contagious.
I’m stuck. What do you think? She will be without anyone taking her to the waters for two days. That is unless she starts moving. But I have a 6, 7 and 9 year old hens and I can’t let them get anything

In that case, I would cull. In my experience, the bird may have a chance, but it's less than 50%.

 

[Eddie12109]

Well I decided that I will go tomorrow in the morning just to take care of the quail and probably the next day.
I left her near the water and food, I gave mealworms and rooster booster poultry cell.


So basically if I didn’t mention this, the quail got trampled as a baby and it got better by itself. Now, two ish months later... she has probably gotten trampled or like you are saying, her head bonked.