Quail having issues walking

[highwinds2c]

Noticed today one of our chicks is having issues walking. She is a little older than 4 weeks has always been quite and sweet but starting showing signs today where she will walk a bit then flop on her side at first I thought she was just taking a dust bath but quickly realized it was something else and separated her from the flock. Pooping looks still normal and she is drinking and eating as usual.

No signs of injury like broken bones or head injury. All of our quail are very used to us and the cage is not high enough for them to actually fly off even if they were spooked.

 

[Nabiki]

What are you feeding her?
How many quail do you have?
What is your male to female ratio?
What are the dimensions of her cage (including height) and the materials?

 

[Susan Skylark]

Is she having balance issues (head tilted or circling to one side, continually falling to one side): inner ear or neurological issues. Is she getting tired after only a little exertion (respiratory or heart issue). Is it a seizure (flaps about on side or just lays there in a daze)? Is it a pain or mechanical issue (flops over after putting weight on a certain spot): injury. Some ideas to help you narrow the field. If no other birds are affected that limits the chances of toxin or infectious agent. Keeping her quiet and limiting activity for a few days is treatment of choice, she’ll likely recover or not on her own whatever it is.

 

[highwinds2c]

Is she having balance issues (head tilted or circling to one side, continually falling to one side): inner ear or neurological issues. Is she getting tired after only a little exertion (respiratory or heart issue). Is it a seizure (flaps about on side or just lays there in a daze)? Is it a pain or mechanical issue (flops over after putting weight on a certain spot): injury. Some ideas to help you narrow the field. If no other birds are affected that limits the chances of toxin or infectious agent. Keeping her quiet and limiting activity for a few days is treatment of choice, she’ll likely recover or not on her own whatever it is.

I tried posting the video but looks like it keeps failing. she will usually just stand there walk a couple steps then fall back on one side. no flapping and will continue to look around and peck and things but she's not really exhorting herself and we've placed a bowl of food and water in reach since she seems to just sit in one spot and not want to walk. someone recommended Vitamin B supplements. Also was told the food I switched to a couple days ago was for adult quail and have placed another order for chick food again. her poops are normal with no odd colors or signs of blood. she seems very normal except for not being able to walk more than a few steps before falling on one side. will drink and eat out of the bowl and accepts treats (meal worms) when offered.

I was feeding the wachtelgold spezial and the country's best show crumble mixed together but was also told the country's best wasn't good food so have removed it and just feed the wachtel gold. I know the Wachtel gold is a top rated food used by a lot of people here in germany. but I've only been feeding the adult wachtel gold food for a week and none of the other chicks have shown issues aside from this one.

 

[highwinds2c]

We have 6 chicks
Enclosure is 120x60x60 rabbit hutch tho we add lots of bedding (aspen shavings mixed with hay) and hides with flat surface so they can sit ontop so the actual height is a bit less. They are housed indoors so no drafts and have not seen them picking on each other.

Not sure on male to female since they are not Feather sex colors. Only two are red,headed so at least one is male and one female but the other are still unknown only 4 weeks old.

Food is in the photo with occasional veggies and mealworms or Dubai roaches

 

[Nabiki]

The wachtelgold looks like it's mostly seeds? That doesn't look like it's formulated for coturnix quail. Do you have the nutrition information on it?

 

[Susan Skylark]

I’d lean towards a head bonk/neck pain/slipped or inflamed disc, rest and minimize movement for a couple weeks, should see gradual improvement. B vitamins won’t hurt anything either unless she stresses out when dosed. Definitely want to get the diet figured out for long term.

 

[highwinds2c]

The wachtelgold looks like it's mostly seeds? That doesn't look like it's formulated for coturnix quail. Do you have the nutrition information on it?

No it's specifically formulated for quail i have photos of the ingredients but it's in German of course but can roughly translate if needed.

 

[highwinds2c]

I’d lean towards a head bonk/neck pain/slipped or inflamed disc, rest and minimize movement for a couple weeks, should see gradual improvement. B vitamins won’t hurt anything either unless she stresses out when dosed. Definitely want to get the diet figured out for long term.

the diet they have should be fine I just think I switched them too early to the adult food but have ordered more of the chick feed. the Country best was just an emergency purchase since I ran out of their normal chick feed and order their food online from a reputable source here in Germany. It just took a couple days to arrive and picked up just a crumble mix to feed until the new order came. Wachtel shop is the go to place for quail here and many breeders and quail owners recommend them for all things quail including hatching eggs and feed.

Have also added a B vitamin to their water.

I was also giving them a bit of magic water up until a week ago but could mix up a new batch of that also if it will help.

A lot of people said the country's best had caused issues with their birds and I've removed it from their feed entirely just in case. they've only been eating that for a little over a week and it's only the one bird that is having issues

 

[highwinds2c]

Incase anyone missed it I uploaded the video from last night of her.