‘Old’ quail

[Birds1243]

What are signs that your quail may be getting to the old age and possibly near death? I know most quails live for 1-2years but have heard of some that live up to 5! Should I be worried for my little ones? (coturnix)

 

[le_bwah]

Like pretty much any older vertebrate, they slow down. Sleep more, eat and drink way less, cease grooming and social behaviors. My 4+ year-old hens are always a little quivery in the wings in the days before they go, too.

What has you worried your quail is close to dying?

 

[Nabiki]

I have a pen of "retirees" that ranged from 3-5 years old.

 

[pac]

I have a pen of "retirees" that ranged from 3-5 years old.

How long do you keep them for?
Do you process them for eating when you think their time is near? Or dispatch so they don't suffer?

I'm guess they are like anything kept by man and should be put down rather then dying on their own in failed health.

 

[Nabiki]

How long do you keep them for?
Do you process them for eating when you think their time is near? Or dispatch so they don't suffer?

I'm guess they are like anything kept by man and should be put down rather then dying on their own in failed health.

It depends. These birds have given me years of eggs, so I let them have their retirement to live out their lives. If they look like they're suffering, I'll end it for them, but otherwise, I let them live until their natural end.

 

[Birds1243]

Like pretty much any older vertebrate, they slow down. Sleep more, eat and drink way less, cease grooming and social behaviors. My 4+ year-old hens are always a little quivery in the wings in the days before they go, too.

What has you worried your quail is close to dying?

Oh I see. One of mine seems not like herself but not entirely how you describe. She is 2 in June. Recently has been a bit off her food and under the weather. Although she’s still running actively and happily, and cleans herself regularly. I have noticed she can be fluffed up sometimes. Anything I should be seriously seriously concerned about? (Have been giving her supplements to keep her healthy)

 

[Birds1243]

How long do you keep them for?
Do you process them for eating when you think their time is near? Or dispatch so they don't suffer?

I'm guess they are like anything kept by man and should be put down rather then dying on their own in failed health.

I don’t keep them for meat. They are kept as pets

 

[Nabiki]

Oh I see. One of mine seems not like herself but not entirely how you describe. She is 2 in June. Recently has been a bit off her food and under the weather. Although she’s still running actively and happily, and cleans herself regularly. I have noticed she can be fluffed up sometimes. Anything I should be seriously seriously concerned about? (Have been giving her supplements to keep her healthy)

Has she been laying regularly? Is she getting enough calcium? What kind of supplements are you giving her? I only give supplements or medicine if they're actually sick and need them.

 

[le_bwah]

Oh I see. One of mine seems not like herself but not entirely how you describe. She is 2 in June. Recently has been a bit off her food and under the weather. Although she’s still running actively and happily, and cleans herself regularly. I have noticed she can be fluffed up sometimes. Anything I should be seriously seriously concerned about? (Have been giving her supplements to keep her healthy)

When I have a puffy or shaky quail in an aviary setting, and they aren't ancient yet, I treat the whole flock with liquid CORID—at least for my ground-based flock, it's almost always an early sign of coccidiosis, which is common and treatable.

My oldest bird was about 5 and a half. In the week leading up to her natural death, she stopped grooming, socializing and foraging, and eventually stopped eating. She didn't seem to be in distress (e.g. no odd breathing, flapping/flopping, or lack of motor control)—just a gradual shutdown.

Anything I should be seriously seriously concerned about?

An adult hen that, say, isn't laying, sleeps all day and has ceased eating and grooming is likely a dying bird. But quail can get sick like any animal, and they are also very quick healers. If a bird isn't responding to supplements or medicine you have on hand, you might seek out an avian vet, or make the choice to cull if they appear close to death.

 

[pac]

It depends. These birds have given me years of eggs, so I let them have their retirement to live out their lives. If they look like they're suffering, I'll end it for them, but otherwise, I let them live until their natural end.

Thanks.
I've never had a bird that died of old age. I guess the thing is to recognize the signs of suffering. I imagine it's easier with a dog or cat, which is what I'm used to.