Beak injury on Coturnix

[Evelit]

hi all,

I went to do my morning rounds in the pen and found one of my silvers bloody. It’s as if her beak has had the “shell” broken off of it. I can’t figure out how this could have happened and the other three with her have not been aggressive and have no blood on them. I have her in a cat carrier now inside the house and applied neosporin to the area, and tried to wipe off what I could around her face. Thoughts? Suggestions? My main concern is she will be unable to eat and won’t make it. She’s very lethargic and didn’t squirm while I wiped her off. I watched her eating last night from the feeder so she did eat within the last 12 hours.

I’m thinking maybe the galvanized waterer bottoms could cause an injury like this if the birds are poking in to peck at debris like leaves that get in. It’s my only theory. Pic included.

 

[JaeG]

It does look like she's caught her beak somewhere, poor girl. They are incredibly tough birds so hopefully she will recover, though it looks like she's lost quite a bit of blood so that's probably why she's lethargic. Maybe make her food into a wet mash to make it easier for her to eat though it may take her a day or so to feel like eating. Keep her quiet and calm and possibly get some poultry nutri drops or similar to give her a boost.

 

[Evelit]

I tried some styptic powder (would not recommend as she licked at it, not sure it’s safe for ingestion) and did have her take a few licks of nutri drench as well as added to the water. Last time I picked her up she was a bit more feisty so I’m hoping for the best. The cat carrier is now in the run on top of a heating pad in case she gets chilly tonight.

 

[JaeG]

I tried some styptic powder (would not recommend as she licked at it, not sure it’s safe for ingestion) and did have her take a few licks of nutri drench as well as added to the water. Last time I picked her up she was a bit more feisty so I’m hoping for the best. The cat carrier is now in the run on top of a heating pad in case she gets chilly tonight.

That sounds hopeful. Fingers crossed she'll be just fine. They are incredibly tough little things.

I'm not sure on the stypic powder either but surely it's safe as you use it on birds claws and they'd be likely to ingest it when preening.

 

[Evelit]

That sounds hopeful. Fingers crossed she'll be just fine. They are incredibly tough little things.

I'm not sure on the stypic powder either but surely it's safe as you use it on birds claws and they'd be likely to ingest it when preening.

That’s true and good to know. Thankfully this morning her beak was scabbed over. I let her out of the carrier and she’s acting normal, albeit a bit sluggish. I observed her eating too there she is just as she pulled her head out of the feeder.