Toe problem

[camptaylor]

Hello, I am new to raising quail and just hatched my second flock. My newest flock of 19 birds is about three to four weeks old. Out of 19, two have an identical toe problem. On one toe, the end is turning dark and slightly shrivelled. The closest thing I can find online is bumblefoot, but again this is not on the pad, just one toe. It also doesn't look like poop on the toe as the toe is actually smaller in the infected area. One of the chicks is now not standing on that foot.
They are on 1/2 inch hardcloth, however I usually cover it with some straw, have a large dust bath available, or both.
Any idea what might bee happening?

 

[Nabiki]

That toe is dying. Can you show a picture of the entire foot? Is there anything restricting circulation further up?

 

[Chicalina]

the most likely cause is having caught the toe in the wire. If it doesn't get infected, it will just drop off eventually.

Better to put a piece of cardboard or vinyl flooring over the wire and the bedding on top of that. Even cut up pieces of feed bag will do.

Hardware cloth is brutal to birds feet.

 

[Nabiki]

They should have some boxes of dirt for both dirt baths and to let them rest their feet from the wire.

 

[Chicalina]

They should have some boxes of dirt for both dirt baths and to let them rest their feet from the wire.

That's like putting out a bowl of water to give respite from the hot coals covering the rest of the ground!

I don't get why people are obsessed with wire flooring and coops/brooders get built that way. I've seen too many foot injuries on here. I bet you wouldn't like to walk barefoot on a hard wire mesh all day!

 

[camptaylor]

Thanks for the input. I'm not "obsessed" with wire flooring. I did a lot of research and this is what most people say to do. Again, most days 2/3 of the coop floor is covered, they do not walk exclusively on wire everyday. Like I said, I am new to this and I do try to do the best things for my birds.

 

[Chicalina]

Thanks for the input. I'm not "obsessed" with wire flooring. I did a lot of research and this is what most people say to do. Again, most days 2/3 of the coop floor is covered, they do not walk exclusively on wire everyday. Like I said, I am new to this and I do try to do the best things for my birds.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean you were obsessed. I was just venting because everyone seems to have a wire floor and it is awful for the birds. I'm not blaming you, why would you know any different when everyone else does it and you are learning from them.

If you put some cardboard down under the straw then you might prevent any further foot injuries. Just chuck it out when you clean, and replace with another bit. Old cardboard boxes, packaging, cereal boxes etc will all work fine.

 

[camptaylor]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean you were obsessed. I was just venting because everyone seems to have a wire floor and it is awful for the birds. I'm not blaming you, why would you know any different when everyone else does it and you are learning from them.

If you put some cardboard down under the straw then you might prevent any further foot injuries. Just chuck it out when you clean, and replace with another bit. Old cardboard boxes, packaging, cereal boxes etc will all work fine.

Thanks a lot for your kind reply. I am worn out by the constant tearing down of others online, in the media, and in person. I think we are all tired, right?
I am really sad about my quail, they aren't just for eggs but they are pets to me. I added cardboard until I can find a nonwire bottom hutch design that will work for us.

Thanks again for responding. God bless you.

"Be kind to everyone, for everyone is fighting a great battle."

 

[Chicalina]

My apologies again. I just get frustrated with poor practices being handed down to new generations of poultry keepers.

I bet you'll find that they are just as clean and dry with some deep litter cleaned out infrequently and turned daily or with straw cleaned out regularly, on top of a solid base. If you want a permanent solution, just get an offcut of vinyl flooring to put over the wire. No need to redesign the whole coop.

 

[Nabiki]

My apologies again. I just get frustrated with poor practices being handed down to new generations of poultry keepers.

I bet you'll find that they are just as clean and dry with some deep litter cleaned out infrequently and turned daily or with straw cleaned out regularly, on top of a solid base. If you want a permanent solution, just get an offcut of vinyl flooring to put over the wire. No need to redesign the whole coop.

I keep my quail on the ground. A lot of people do use hutches or wire bottomed cages because they are easier to clean. We can't force anyone to practice our ways, but we can offer advice to help them with the path they have chosen.