Unhappy quail - cull or cure?

[Sara L]

To me it looks like the hen was picked on by either other hens or a male or both, then probably got infected. Missing feathers on the back of the head are usually due to males grabbing the feathers when they mount. When my quail get into fights they usually go for the eyes; the injured quail usually ends up with a swollen eye but it's the actual eye area not below it like your picture shows.

I agree if you have some kind of antibiotic you think would work you should try it. Keep her separated from the others but if you can, try to keep them within viewing distance of each other. If they are separated too long the rest will consider her an outsider when you put her back and start attacking again.

I hope she gets better soon.

 

[cosmosue]

Hey guess what? My son literally just ha fed me a baby that had gotten something in his eye and was starting to look like this! It’s hard to notice when you have a brooder full, so I took him to the bathroom and gently with my finger loosened the crust with warm water he didn’t seem to mind, I gently opened his eye and kept working the crust off.

I imagine if I did not do this now I’m a few days it would be BAD I had one a few weeks ago that was looking unwell (a baby) and I noticed he also had one eye crusted shut and had some in his ear. You know how they sleep like they are dead I mean you can keep the brooder clean as you can changing it twice a day they will find a way to fill their eye or eat with poop or crust...

Anyway I was able to gently open their eyes, and got all the crust off. Returned to brooder. I also gave the first one a tiny bit of baby vitamins no iron, he peeked up right away all is normal.

So I personally feel you have a 90% chance here, they bounce back VERY well. I’ve had some get attacked and completely scalped he grew his entire scalp back and ALL feathers I can’t even tell now...

Ok so good luck!!

 

[nicecupoftea]

All the replies have been so helpful, thanks! I'm going to treat for 24-48 hours and see how she is...

 

[RosieR]

I’ve got a male that I just found in similar shape. My ratios were off and he’s the smaller of the two roos. I made him a bachelor pad out of a cat carrier. I’ll probably end up culling him since he was destined for it anyways, I was just hoping to do a few at once.
I hope your girl makes a good recovery!
Sometimes the birds hurt themselves and the other birds pick on the injured bird. Maybe that’s what happened to yours? But I agree she should not have been sold in that condition.

 

[cosmosue]

Rosie - you could just cull and dress and freeze for a later date when you have more for dinner if that’s what you mean? I plan on doing this because I will have a lot mature at the same time...

I’ve got a male that I just found in similar shape. My ratios were off and he’s the smaller of the two roos. I made him a bachelor pad out of a cat carrier. I’ll probably end up culling him since he was destined for it anyways, I was just hoping to do a few at once.
I hope your girl makes a good recovery!
Sometimes the birds hurt themselves and the other birds pick on the injured bird. Maybe that’s what happened to yours? But I agree she should not have been sold in that condition.

 

[RosieR]

Rosie - you could just cull and dress and freeze for a later date when you have more for dinner if that’s what you mean? I plan on doing this because I will have a lot mature at the same time...

Yes exactly what I mean. I should have culled him sooner. Poor guy is in a state right now, and still calling for his lady friends

 

[cosmosue]

Oh no I hate when they cry! Even the adults! Makes me sad. I have a couple loud mouth babies and I’m always like what the heck is your problem crying like that? You have like 50 friends!!! Haha!

I would cull him soon then and just freeze him for later.

 

[Erkenstein]

If a bird is huddled up in the corner, not eating, drinking, or preening, that means it is very sick/injured and likely to die. I have dealt with injured birds successfully, but that bird looks very sick. I would try the ointment etc, keep her isolated, and observe her. They naturally want to hide injury and illness since the flock will cull them out in the wild, so if she is showing signs like that she is pretty far along.

Private sellers often don't know what they're doing, which is how when I first got into quail I ended up with 10 males and 2 females. The seller said, "See how their feathers are pulled out on their heads? That means they're female."

 

[cosmosue]

That’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard that does NOT mean they are female LOL (feathers missing lol) they could have missing feathers for so many diff reasons what a jerk that seller was!!

Some people I swear should NOT be selling birds or any animals!!!

Especially sick ones. Very sad for the bird and unethical business practice.

 

[Erkenstein]

That’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard that does NOT mean they are female LOL (feathers missing lol) they could have missing feathers for so many diff reasons what a jerk that seller was!!

He was just ignorant. Males mate each other when they don't have any other options. It taught me to do my research.