Quail Eye Problem

[katherinej]

Hi
One of my quail is holding her eyes shut. It started with just one but now seems to be both. They don't look red or swollen or sore and there is no discharge or crusting and she can open them when I go in with them. I think her eyes might look slightly cloudy but I'm not completely sure. She's a white Italian quail. There are 6 quail, all female, and they all get on well as far as I can tell (they have always been together). Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be??! She's not just asleep btw!! :roll:
Thank you!

 

[Marigold]

hi Katherine, and welcome to the Forum - especially the Quail section!

This might not be an eye problem, as like chickens, they do close their eyes when feeling poorly from other causes. Is she also sitting in a sort of tucked-up way? Is she feeding, drinking and pooing normally? Is she moving about the cage normally, or does she tend to tuck herself away in a corner and not join in with the others? Can she walk normally, or is she beginning to be off balance and moving in an unusual way? If you have 6 hens you probably can't tell whether she's laying or not, but do you think she has been laying until recently? I wondered if she might be eggbound.
Are any of the others affected? How old are they? Maybe more info about her, and the group she's in, could assist people in giving advice.

My experience with quail is limited, so I hope someone else will give you more ideas, but if she were mine I would isolate her in a temporary hospital cage so she can rest undisturbed, and also reduce the risk of transmitting anything infectious if that is what this is. Sadly there's not a lot you can do for tiny birds like poorly quails, but if you keep her warm and quiet, provide food and water, and observe how she's getting on, you can decide by tomorrow whether she's showing any more definite symptoms.