swollen feet

[bigjohn]

I keep my birds on 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth. Most of the birds do fine, but I do have a few birds who seem to get swollen feet and suffer because they are on wire. Their feet bleed sometimes, also.

I have not used 1/2' x 1" wire in a long while (especially since my birds are outside and critters can get to them more easily), but was wondering if the larger wire is easier on their feet than the 1/2 x 1/2 wire?

Anyone had any experiences with the two types of wire?

I have put a piece of wood or something similar in the pens for them to stand on, but, of course, they poop all over it and it gets nasty.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Do they have something other than wire to walk on? I have about half of my cages with wood bottoms, instead of wire so they can take a break from it. I would think that if they are always on wire, this would be your problem.

ETA: Duh, I just finished reading your post. It could be a combination of walking on the wire and walking in the poo. I haven't had any problems with my birds' feet, so I can't say for sure.

 

[wilds of pa]

If you can find PVC coated 1/2 x 1/2 it works best.. or 1/2 x 1" coated.
Heres were i purchased mine, its expensive but much easier on your birds feet.

http://www.academyfence.com/hardwirecloth.html#1/2x16gauge

http://www.wirefenceonline.com/welded/vc/1922

Otherwise slip pieces of wood in there like you have and every now and then change it out.

~Wilds~

 

[quailbrain]

I personally use the 1/2" x 1/2" because I think that it gives them more points to distribute the pressure of their feet when they have more foot touching down. I have used slip resistant shelving cover at times in the cages for buttons and chickens (I'm new to the coturnix though) Slip resistant shelf liner has some holes in it. I have placed it over wire so the birds could walk on it but any wet material would drain and/or dry quickly plus small particals can fall through it. If they spill big pieces of food they can still eat it without it going to waist. When it gets dirty you can just pull it out without removing the birds from their cage, hose it off, and replace it. Plus it's cheap enough to replace it. I can get rolls of it at the local dollar store and wash it a few times before tossing it out.
I have never had Coturnix like this but have had chickens. Only once did I have a bird who thought they could eat it. It might help long enough for your birds legs to heal?
Good Luck!

 

[wilds of pa]

bigjohn, Wanted to mention after about 6 years with bobwhites, Ive never had a problem using galvanized wire and still have it in some of my pens.

but any new pens being built now i use PVC coated. just feel its better for them considering some of the components of galvanized wire can be toxic and are known to cause cancer from what Ive read about it..

~Wilds~

 

[citalk2much]

Quote:
Good info thank you. I will be looking into the coated wire

 

[ken429h]

This is my best guess. Quail pox. Not the devastating viral form vectored by mosquitoes that can devastate a flock, but the annoying form described here.

http://msucares.com/poultry/game/poultry_pox.html

Think of it like your feet or hands being bitten by mosquitoes you can’t slap down or eat, if you happen to be a bird. They bite below the wire on a very tiny part of your body. The bite itches, you scratch it and everything your mother warned you about happens….you get an infection.

Implement a sound mosquito eradication program. Remove all standing water. Any standing water that can not be removed should be treated with an organic larvacide.
The use of pesticides may be warranted, but please obey all safety warnings on pesticides.

I think it more an outbreak of vector insects, rather than a reaction to zinc coated wire, but that’s just me. Nothing wrong with PVC coated wire, for a new install, or upgrade, but you should look at the bugs first… IMHO.

Ken