Roo violence.. head injury

[Nabiki]

I'm more concerned that he's not standing than by the head movements. That's not a good sign. The injury doesn't look bad, but I understand why you're worried about him.

There isn't much you can do to completely prevent the violence. Quail are vicious little things, which is why most people keep one male and eat the rest.

Keeping them out of sight and hearing of hens helps, as does reducing the amount of light they receive.

 

[Huntmaster]

Yes, I agree with @Nabiki that that is not the type of head movement I thought it might be does he stand and walk at all?

 

[Huntmaster]

Any sign of back injuries or lower neck? If not very well could be some kind of brain Trauma.

 

[threeepeat]

Any sign of back injuries or lower neck? If not very well could be some kind of brain Trauma.

There is damage on top of his head, and also one small exposed lump was visible behind his head on the right side, near his neck.

 

[threeepeat]

Yes, I agree with @Nabiki that that is not the type of head movement I thought it might be does he stand and walk at all?

No I haven't seen him stand at all yet, but he has shown moments of awareness and I noticed this morning that his head was right beside the water so I'm assuming he was mobile enough to track down the water.

 

[threeepeat]

No I haven't seen him stand at all yet, but he has shown moments of awareness and I noticed this morning that his head was right beside the water so I'm assuming he was mobile enough to track down the water.

He also seems to want to hide his head under and available coverage so this is why I thought maybe it might be trauma/ anxiety/ shock related. However, I think you are probably on to something regarding a relapse of his former wry neck/ walking issues. Nerve damage could have triggered something, because his behaviour does kind of resemble how he moved when he struggled to move as a new hatching.

He was very active in the incubator though, but he was twisting his head and rolling around, flopping, then he would try again. Later in the brooder, he progressed to crawling around on his front side like a turtle on the beach for a couple days without any head twisting. After that, he began some intermittent walking, then some low profile walking, until finally, he blended right in.

 

[Nabiki]

If he doesn't get back on his feet in a day or two, his chances aren't good. :-(

 

[threeepeat]

If he doesn't get back on his feet in a day or two, his chances aren't good. :-(

There seems to be a small improvement but he's still not standing. One thing to note is that when I hold him up in a make-shift walking position, the head movement now stops completely and he eats and drinks normally. He also appears alert and calm. As soon as stop supporting him, he lies back down and the head spasms begin again. It presents like a neurological misfiring or disconnect between his brain and standing.

 

[threeepeat]

I'm more concerned that he's not standing than by the head movements. That's not a good sign. The injury doesn't look bad, but I understand why you're worried about him.

There isn't much you can do to completely prevent the violence. Quail are vicious little things, which is why most people keep one male and eat the rest.

Keeping them out of sight and hearing of hens helps, as does reducing the amount of light they receive.

Another point I heard was to absolutely make sure they never run out of food or water as this can put them on edge with each other.

In terms, of keeping the hens out of sight, this will be fairly easy, but keeping the hens out hearing from the roos, more difficult. I hadn't thought of having two locations for my quail, but that is a very good design point.

 

[Nabiki]

There seems to be a small improvement but he's still not standing. One thing to note is that when I hold him up in a make-shift walking position, the head movement now stops completely and he eats and drinks normally. He also appears alert and calm. As soon as stop supporting him, he lies back down and the head spasms begin again. It presents like a neurological misfiring or disconnect between his brain and standing.

I think those head movements are him trying to get up. It sounds like his legs are paralyzed. I'm thinking at this point it may be kindest to cull him.

Another point I heard was to absolutely make sure they never run out of food or water as this can put them on edge with each other.

In terms, of keeping the hens out of sight, this will be fairly easy, but keeping the hens out hearing from the roos, more difficult. I hadn't thought of having two locations for my quail, but that is a very good design point.

It is difficult to keep multiple males. That's why a lot of people who hatch quail learn to eat the extras.