Expert: Abi - 1/18/2009

Question
Hi. I know you mostly do chickens but I don't know who else to ask and quails are kinda like chickens (not really)but please help. Yesterday I bought four European quails and put them into a pen with my other three quails and this morning when I went to check on them some had bleeding toes, where the nail is so I took them out. What can I do to make them better? My other quails are so mean if they don't get along I'm giving them to my cousin. I like the new quails better they're so friendly and walk up to you and like to be patted and they're so cute. I think my other quails are jealous. Well could you just tell me how to make their legs better?

Thankyou.

Answer
Hello Michelle,

Quails are more like chickens than you think! They should settle down within a few days- with birds there's always a bit of fighting when you first introduce them.

Make sure the quails have clean ground to walk on, ie not dirty/muddy, and gently bathe their feet in a warm salt water solution, like you would with a wound. Then thoroughly dry their feet before putting them back in their pen. Do not cover up the wounds as they need to dry out and scab over.

Thanks for your question.