Quail Missing Upper Beak

[foog]

Unfortunately, one of my hens somehow broke off her entire upper beak. I don’t know what happened, just a few ideas. I am thinking she got it caught somewhere during a fright the other night.

My first thought was to cull her, and I know a lot of people probably would. She was able to drink, and tried to eat so I decided to wait. I know birds can adapt to missing parts of their beaks, so I had some hope that maybe she would.

Long story short… she wouldn’t eat soft food, but couldn't eat her normal food. I don’t know how to tube feed, so as a last effort I started syringe feeding her. I’d gently put food on her lower beak for her to eat with her tongue. After 2 syringe feedings she suddenly started eating it straight from the bowl. I guess she finally put it together haha.

She is doing okay for her situation. If she takes a turn for the worse I will cull her, but as of now she’s acting normal and I have hope she will continue to do well. Thankfully, she’s very friendly. I feel like this would have been stressful and almost impossible to do with a flighty bird.

Just posting to share

 

[The Coop Crew]

I’m so glad she’s adapting! Such a little sweetie

 

[Kiki]

Poor thing. I can't imagine the pain it's in.

 

[foog]

I’m so glad she’s adapting! Such a little sweetie

I was pretty surprised! I've seen tons of parrots adapt very well, but quail are far different than parrot types. However, seeing pigeons and chickens adapt well did give me some hope. Today was going to be her last day, but she figured it out. Day by day though, animals are always surprising.

 

[Nabiki]

Hopefully she'll be okay, but since her beak isn't going to grow back, she's probably going to need special care for the rest of her life.

 

[foog]

Poor thing. I can't imagine the pain it's in.

I can't either! She is taking meds for pain + to prevent infection, so hopefully it is lessened. If only she could speak! She is bright and active, and passing good stools. Like I said though, day by day

 

[foog]

Hopefully she'll be okay, but since her beak isn't going to grow back, she's probably going to need special care for the rest of her life.

I assumed so. I can accommodate her, which is why I figured I'd try. She's doing good right now, only needs me to make sure she doesn't kick mash everywhere and make a mess

 

[007Sean]

I had a juvenile Red Golden that got pecked on when it was a few days old chick, it's top beak was pecked off to the nares, the lower beak about a 1/4 was pecked off. It survived and thrived, it did not have any affect on it or keep it from eating or drinking.

 

[foog]

I had a juvenile Red Golden that got pecked on when it was a few days old chick, it's top beak was pecked off to the nares, the lower beak about a 1/4 was pecked off. It survived and thrived, it did not have any affect on it or keep it from eating or drinking.

Incredible! What a lucky bird. I am glad to hear it did well in the long term. My hen is still trucking along like nothing even happened

 

[foog]

Just waiting for her to heal up a little more before putting her back out. She can eat and drink on her own.
An older pic of her from before (and not covered in dirt)