Quail panting, one wing drooped, lethargic.

[farmer90]

Today I found one of my hens panting and with one wing being drooped. The other wing is fine. She’s lethargic, but still drinking and eating (quail layer feed) and her poop looks normal.
My hen is about 1 year old. I separated her to a dim and warm place.

She’s not eggbound as she just layed an egg. Her crop feels normal. The panting could not be because of heat as I keep them in my basement and there’s about 15-20 degrees Celsius. It can not be a respiratory illness as there’s no wheezing, boogers etc. I tried to examine her wing for any injuries, inexperienced as I am, I did not find anything unusual except the drooping. Is there anything else I can do? Here's a picture of her. (Ignore the ruffled backfeathers, my last roo was a real jerk)

 

[Nabiki]

Her feathers looks quite rough as well. Do you have some Nutri-Drench to give her an energy boost?

Is it possible that she hit her head?
How hot has it gotten in your basement?
Do you have the nutrition information for her feed?

 

[farmer90]

Thanks you for reply. I gave her some nutri-drench.
I just noticed the nutrition difference between the regular quail layer feed I usually order and the one I had to order this month as my regular one was out of stock. It's protein percentage is way lower (17% what they've gotten this month vs usual 21%) and it also lacks some of the vitamins compared to other feed. But the good news is that it's back in stock again and I ordered some extra bags.
In the past I've had experience with quails jumping up and hitting their head against the ceiling ending up either crippled or dead. I kept that in mind when I built the winter cages. They're only 30cm(0.9ft) high, so I don't think hitting the head to this extent is much of a possibility.
My basement is about 15-20 degrees Celsius (59-68 Fahrenheit) I consider it comfortable temperature for quails.

 

[Nabiki]

The temperature is fine, the height of your pens makes head injury unlikely. Is she eating and drinking? Does her poop look normal?

I'm kind of wondering if there was also some contamination in the feed. The feed would contribute towards her symptoms, but actual issues from malnutrition usually take quite some time to manifest.

It sounds like you're doing the right things. In addition to the Nutri-Drench, you might tempt her with some boiled, crushed egg yolk.

 

[farmer90]

She perked up a bit, eating, drinking, pooping (the last one looks normal). She's still weak and staggers around with her drooping wing, still panting a lot. I guess I have to wait until the morning and hope for the best.
I'll make boiled eggs for all my quails. Thank you!

 

[Nabiki]

Keep us updated. Quail usually heal quickly.

 

[farmer90]

It's new morning and things are pretty much the same. Eating, drinking, pooping but wing still drooped and panting.
I decided to look that wing again and noticed a lump on one joint, the last one just before the tip of the wing where the flight feathers come in. It's not visible, but when I touched both wings and compared the feel, one joint felt slightly bigger. I think I found the cause but not sure how to go on from here. Panting might indicate to shock and pain. I hate to see her suffer. Is there anything to ease the pain or should I consider culling?

 

[Nabiki]

It sounds like a wing injury, then. It's possible that she hit it against the sides of the pen. I have had that happen, and while she's in pain now, it should heal. Give her a few days.