Quail Pecking caused blindness

[Mamarisa2016]

Hi, I have a button quail that has been blinded by another one pecking his eyes out. I have 2 males and 2 females in a 2 x 4 cage and never had a problem until today. I went to check their food and water and get the eggs and noticed this little guy in the corner. I picked him up and noticed that he was blinded. I'm assuming that the other male has pecked both his eyes out. I'm so sad. I want to know if anyone had this happen and if the blinded quail can survive? I have him inside now, on his own. In his own cage. I put water and food in there for him. I dipped his beak in the water and sprinkled the food on the floor of the cage so he would feel it when he walks. He hasn't moved from where I placed him. He tried to fly away and hit the walls and bounced back down. Can his quality of life be ok or should I euthanize him? I would hate to euthanize him if he can still have a decent quality of life as an indoor pet. Thank you for any information.

 

[AuQuail]

Sometimes they are not blind.. Just that the eyes are shut.. After a few days they might open up.... If lucky.

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[DK newbie]

Just out of curiosity, how long have you kept them like that without issues?

I have read about blind quail being able to find food and water as long as it's always in the same location, but the question is, does he gain anything from such a life or is he simply surviving? You could let him heal and see how many of the activities he used to enjoy, he can still do - dust bathing, cuddling with his mate and so on. Or you could spare him the pain and stress of the healing and cull him right away. But as AuQuail said, be sure the eyes are gone - I've seen pictures where it looked like there was no eye and a few weeks later there was nothing wrong with the bird..

 

[GrandmaBird]

My male button is sight challenged, he is not completely blind but rather he has funny eyes and you can tell he does not see well. He did fine with a mate and after his last one died I was worried about him but he is doing fine. Now I agree with DK that it is a question of quality of life not quantity. In my case I have had Henry for 5 years and so he will live out his life with me. I have not been able to find him a new mate. This is life. Best of luck.

 

[Mamarisa2016]

Thank you for all your responses. The quails have been together since birth. The females just started laying eggs about 5 weeks ago. Maybe that triggered the bullying. I've been putting chamomile tea compresses on his eyes and he seems to have one back. I'm not sure he can see out of it, but he is eating and drinking well. I am going to keep him separated from the rest for another month or so to see if he regains eye sight. If not, then I will have to assess his quality of life. I rather put him down than have him suffer, but if he can do any of the things quail do for fun, then I will keep him. I will update in about a month or sooner if there are changes. Thanks again.