Quail are dying. Thoughts?

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I’ve lost somewhere between three and five Japanese quail in the last month. None of them are laying eggs, despite all being mature. They eat the same layer food as my chickens. Because of that, I’m 90 percent sure it’s a nutrient deficiency. The symptoms are loss of balance, low or no egg production, trouble staying upright, and heads that look like they’re upside down. This has not impacted my chickens at all, despite them being housed very close to the quail enclosure.
Am I right? What are they missing? Is there a way to supplement it without buying the more expensive food?
(Pictures of me holding one up so it can eat. This is currently the only bird which is unwell, but I already lost one of its roommates. Its sibling appears healthy, but I know that they can hide illness, so I’m really not sure. Also note the nearly upside down head when it isn’t focused on food.

 

[kattabelly]

I don't know anything about quail but the upside-down head looks a lot like torticollis, aka wry neck. It can be congenital or due to injury or illness but can also caused by malnutrition. The treatment for a chicken would be to give a vitamin E capsule and a quarter of a vitamin B complex tablet, plus some scrambled egg for selenium, every day for a week or two. I'm not sure if people usually use the same or smaller doses for quail. Depending on the severity you might also need to feed them until they're able to eat themselves - there are a few ways to do that.

Can you post details of what feed they're on now? (Nutritional info, not just brand name)

@Nabiki is an educator and knows about quail, I think.

 

[Nabiki]

If they're eating chicken layer feed, they're definitely suffering from malnutrition, but the twisted neck has me worried. I strongly recommend getting one of the bodies tested. The twisted neck could be a sign of Virulent Newcastle's disease which is highly contagious and frequently lethal.

A necropsy shouldn't cost too much. You may see if a local vet can perform the test, and if not look up your state necropsy lab.
Edit: If it is Virulent Newcastle's, it can very easily spread to your chickens as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ve lost somewhere between three and five Japanese quail in the last month. None of them are laying eggs, despite all being mature.

The symptoms are loss of balance, low or no egg production, trouble staying upright, and heads that look like they’re upside down.

This is currently the only bird which is unwell, but I already lost one of its roommates. Its sibling appears healthy, but I know that they can hide illness, so I’m really not sure. Also note the nearly upside down head when it isn’t focused on food.

I agree, if possible, get some testing to see what is affecting your flock. You can find your State Lab in this link. https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...GnWKiyHDRdJHNNEjAFDZOzKF9JnklRH4OPB0W9AWC-sQS

I also agree, a change of feed is in order. I'm not sure what others feed, but when I had Quail I fed them Tucker Milling Gambird/Quail feed. You may want to see if you can find who sells a Gambird/Quail feed in your area or perhaps you can order it. I was thankful to find that my local Mom/Pop Feed Store carried and sold a lot of it.

Anyway. The Wry Neck symptom is concerning. If that's the only Quail with the symptom at this time, I'd for sure give her vitamin therapy to see if she improves. As mentioned, Vitamin E (400IU) and B-Complex (1/4tablet) daily along with a treat of egg is the treatment. Give for at least 2wks, but you can give longer if needed.

I see you are helping her eat, can she focus and eat on her own or she needs daily help? Work on hydration and eating, do the best you can to help her out and see what happens.

Keep us posted.

(just a side note - you don't have to get Tucker Milling brand of feed, I was just using that as an example. I "think" I saw Purina makes one too, so TSC may have that. I'm sure other makers have something too).