Poo/food balls on quails feet?!

[DuckPro]

This morning I went to check on my 4 courtnix quails, and I saw blood on the floor!
Just like 6 drops of blood and it was leading to my aerodynamic quail "aero". Her toenail had come off and it was bleeding. Also my other 3 quails had poo or food balls on their feet. I washed it off but it was as hard as rock so it took an hour. They're feet were also bleeding so I washed the blood off too. "Aero"'s toe is not bleeding now but still is sore. How do I prevent this?

 

[DuckPro]

By the way we still haven't made a proper place so we put the quails in a bathroom downstairs that has never been used LOL

 

[birdmandan]

Get a pair of long nosed pliers and squeeze around the edges of the balls to crack them. Then put your quails on wire. Wire keeps the eggs clean too.

 

[DuckPro]

Get a pair of long nosed pliers and squeeze around the edges of the balls to crack them. Then put your quails on wire. Wire keeps the eggs clean too.

Okay thanks for advice. But how did "aero's" talon thing come off?

 

[Dani xxx]

I have mine on straw no poo balls since I had them on paper originally which stuck to their feet badly I have tried wood shavings too but the poultry straw I use is cheaper but both work well I have wood clippings in the run and straw in their house . I personally don't like keeping them on wire as too many stories of hurt quail feet on this forum and they are ground dwellers so I have them on the ground in a natural set up

 

[DuckPro]

View attachment 1080590 View attachment 1080591 I have mine on straw no poo balls since I had them on paper originally which stuck to their feet badly I have tried wood shavings too but the poultry straw I use is cheaper but both work well I have wood clippings in the run and straw in their house . I personally don't like keeping them on wire as too many stories of hurt quail feet on this forum and they are ground dwellers so I have them on the ground in a natural set up

Okay. But how do poo balls rip the quails toenail off??

 

[Dani xxx]

More likely it got stuck in something and it pulled away and pulled the nail off too it will grow back just stop any bleeding with corn flour if you have any and coat in blue antibiotic spray to stop other quail going after any blood/wound ! X

 

[DuckPro]

More likely it got stuck in something and it pulled away and pulled the nail off too it will grow back just stop any bleeding with corn flour if you have any and coat in blue antibiotic spray to stop other quail going after any blood/wound ! X

Okay! Thanks for the help!

 

[DK newbie]

I have buttons and I find shavings are best at keeping the problem at bay. I haven't tried straw though.
For removing the poo balls, I place the affected birds in a small hamster cage with a layer of pebbles in the bottom, then pour warm water into the cage till it just covers the pebbles. 1½ hours later, the feet are clean (sometimes earlier but it has never taken longer than that) - I've never had anyone bleed using this method, it is very little trouble for me and very little stress to the birds.

 

[DuckPro]

I have buttons and I find shavings are best at keeping the problem at bay. I haven't tried straw though.
For removing the poo balls, I place the affected birds in a small hamster cage with a layer of pebbles in the bottom, then pour warm water into the cage till it just covers the pebbles. 1½ hours later, the feet are clean (sometimes earlier but it has never taken longer than that) - I've never had anyone bleed using this method, it is very little trouble for me and very little stress to the birds.

Okay. Thx!