sick quail

[gumshu69]

I have a 2 month old coturnix hen that is having trouble walking and her tail is bobbing up and down. Her legs appear to be fine. She is a large girl but not the largest I have. She will eat and drink. I am seperating her tomorrow. Any ideas? They are on wire and never been outside. Another visual symptom: her feathers are ruffled/puffed up. Not gasping for air, eyes look good.

 

[ThaJuicyJuice]

Some birds are susceptible to respiratory infection. I would observe her breathing patterns. There could be an issue with ventilation, if so the weaker birds will decline in number first and the others may start to show similar symptoms.

 

[gumshu69]

Will moving her outside help?

 

[dc3085]

Check her for head wounds she may have banged her head hard. If the bird is puffing there could be a million things wrong with it and it's hard to say do this or do that without observing the bird for a while. Is she doing anything odd like shaking her head, walking backwards, falling over if you pick her up and set her back down?

 

[gumshu69]

She isn't shaking her head but is flopping over when she does walk. She uses her wings to balance. She isn't breathing heavy either.

 

[gumshu69]

I've moved their cage outside and she seems better. She is walking correctly when she does walk. I will update in the am.

 

[gumshu69]

This AM she was looking better. Again, walking better but not running around crazy like the others but still better. Because she showed almost immediate improvement when I moved her outside last night, I never separated her from the group. Should I separate her or leave her be? Also, what is everyone feeding their Coturnix?

 

[dc3085]

24% gamebird food or 28% pheasant crumble depending on what's available.

They puff up to warm themselves so make sure if its chilly today to block the wind. Otherwise let her be. If she's getting better she probably whacked her head and is improving as the internal swelling recedes.