How do I tell the difference between a prominent keen / too skinny quail?

[faymine]

Any advice on how to differentiate a prominent keen from a quail who is too skinny? When I place my fingers on the chest of one of my quail I can feel their keen very clearly. I do not have to really search at all, and it is most noticeable when I hold them. How should I encourage them to eat more feed? Thank you.

 

[MGG]

Any advice on how to differentiate a prominent keen from a quail who is too skinny? When I place my fingers on the chest of one of my quail I can feel their keen very clearly. I do not have to really search at all, and it is most noticeable when I hold them. How should I encourage them to eat more feed? Thank you.

What are you feeding them and what kind of quail?
How much breast muscle do you feel?
Where is your bird on this chart?

 

[faymine]

Hello, I feed them Manna Pro "Gamebird showbird starter grower" with 24% crude protein. They are all celadon coturnix quail and are nearing 4 months old.
I felt the keen a second time, from my judgement it is a 2 on the scale. His keen is very prominent yet not protruding sharply.
I attached a few images for reference. He may seem chonky but he is rather very fluffy. Do his feathers seem healthy or messy/underdeveloped?

 

[MGG]

Hello, I feed them Manna Pro "Gamebird showbird starter grower" with 24% crude protein. They are all celadon coturnix quail and are nearing 4 months old.
I felt the keen a second time, from my judgement it is a 2 on the scale. His keen is very prominent yet not protruding sharply.
I attached a few images for reference. He may seem chonky but he is rather very fluffy. Do his feathers seem healthy or messy/underdeveloped?

Hmm. @Kiki come help me here.

 

[Kiki]

Have you always fed this feed?
Do you feed any treats?
Is this bird caged by itself?

He is a Coturnix quail that may carry the celadon gene.

A celedon quail isn't proper.
It's Coturnix.

 

[faymine]

1. Yes - although, for around one month I fed them a separate feed. It was the same size/shape/color as the Manna feed, except it contained about 20% protein. Unfortunately I do not have the name of this feed. I do not feed them it anymore.
2. Around two-three times per day I feed him along with the other quail a few pieces of Japanese cabbage/napa cabbage (hakusai) as a treat. It has some nutritional value and they love to snack on it. I also feed each of them 1-2 small mealworms per day.
3. Sadly he is caged on his own. There are two quail right near him so he is not lonely, except he is aggressive and will bite them. The others bite each other too. I fear of severe injuries therefore all three are caged by themselves yet they are in eye-view.

Lastly, thank you for the clarification. I'll refer to them as Coturnix quail from here onwards.

 

[007Sean]

You might want to have a fecal float test done. You'll know if it has worms and what kind(s).
24% protien is more than adequate, they should not be under nourished...if so, I'd suspect worms, if no other outward signs of disease is present.

 

[faymine]

You might want to have a fecal float test done. You'll know if it has worms and what kind(s).
24% protien is more than adequate, they should not be under nourished...if so, I'd suspect worms, if no other outward signs of disease is present.

Thank you for the information.
I researched for a bit and it is a possibility he may have worms. I see treatment options are available to buy online, but is there a way to conduct this test without visiting an avian vet? I feel it would significantly stress the quail.
Or, could I just bring fresh droppings to the vet and keep the birds at home?

 

[007Sean]

Thank you for the information.
I researched for a bit and it is a possibility he may have worms. I see treatment options are available to buy online, but is there a way to conduct this test without visiting an avian vet? I feel it would significantly stress the quail.
Or, could I just bring fresh droppings to the vet and keep the birds at home?

Just take the droppings to the vet.