I hatched 7 coturnix quail about 4 weeks ago, using my silkie Mama and her brooding buddy, a bantam cochin. Out of the 7 that hatched, one had a giimpy foot and I think was trampled to death by its Mama. Out of the 6 left, one started off by doing strange backward walks. Now, the bird can't walk at all. It lays on its side and sort of flops and scoots itself around. I think it might be having seizures or mini-strokes. It still eats, while laying on its side, and I hold it in front of the water dish, and it drinks. It gets itself around, somehow, and has survived pretty well so far, all things considered. It gets itself in and out of the "coop" and gets to the food. It can also flap its wings and fly a decent distance if it wants to.
I'm pretty sure it has some kind of neurologic disorder, which I obviously don't want to use for breeding or egg purposes. I know I should probably cull it, but as it is eating, drinking (with help) and able to get where it wants to go, I am wondering whhat to do with it. I know it would have died long ago in the wild.
I'm thinking about giving it its own little cage and making it a special little quail pet, but I don't know if that's really fair to iit. The quality of life isn't terrible, but obviously not ideal.
What would ya'll do? Any thoughts or advice on the situation?
I'm pretty sure it has some kind of neurologic disorder, which I obviously don't want to use for breeding or egg purposes. I know I should probably cull it, but as it is eating, drinking (with help) and able to get where it wants to go, I am wondering whhat to do with it. I know it would have died long ago in the wild.
I'm thinking about giving it its own little cage and making it a special little quail pet, but I don't know if that's really fair to iit. The quality of life isn't terrible, but obviously not ideal.
What would ya'll do? Any thoughts or advice on the situation?
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