Quail

Egg binding (dystocia)

SignsHen crouches on the floor and strains, bobs tail up and down, swollen lower belly, wobbly legs, no droppings

PreventionAlways provide feed containing calcium and vitamin D3. Avoid more than 14 hours of light to prevent over-laying

Over-laying / low calcium

SignsThin-shelled or soft-shelled eggs, weakness after laying, trembling legs, fractures easily, dull brittle feathers

PreventionLimit light to 10–12 hours to suppress laying. Keep oyster shell and cuttlebone available at all times; consult the vet

Coccidiosis

SignsWatery or bloody droppings, fluffed up and crouching, poor appetite, rapid weight loss, death in young birds

PreventionChange bedding daily and never leave damp floors. Quarantine newcomers for 2 weeks and get a fecal test

Avian influenza

SignsLethargy, sudden death, neurological signs, swollen or discolored legs and face, labored breathing, several birds sick at once

PreventionBlock contact with wild birds; install bird netting. Multiple sudden deaths: contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Leg deformity / perosis (splayed leg)

SignsLegs splay outward, trouble walking, swollen joints, crouching without moving, holding one leg up

PreventionAvoid slippery floors; use non-slip mats. Feed a balanced species-specific diet from the chick stage

Eye and respiratory infections

SignsSwollen or watery eyes, eyelids stuck shut, sneezing, nasal discharge, open-mouth breathing, crusts on the nostrils

PreventionVentilate well to prevent ammonia odor. Avoid dusty bedding and maintain humidity. See the vet early

Head injury (vertical jump)

PreventionKeep the ceiling 30 cm or lower and line it with soft netting or cloth. Avoid sudden noises and hands coming from above

First aidPlace in a dark, quiet box and keep warm. Press bleeding gently with clean gauze. Wobbling or seizures: go to the vet immediately

Peck wounds / scalp stripping

PreventionHouse males one per cage. Provide several hideouts and avoid overcrowding. Isolate any bleeding bird at once

First aidIsolate in a single cage and rinse the wound with saline. Do not return it; others will peck the wound. See the vet the same day

Leg fracture / sprain

PreventionAvoid wire floors that trap legs. Lay bedding flat with no steps. Provide enough calcium

First aidRestrict movement in a small box; do not splint it yourself. Keep warm and see the vet the same day; if limp, go immediately

Broken nail or beak

PreventionTrim nails regularly. Choose fine mesh so nails cannot catch in the cage wire

First aidPress bleeding with styptic powder or cornstarch for 5 minutes. A broken beak means the bird cannot eat: see the vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via hands that touched droppings, eggshells or the cage

PreventionWash hands with soap after care and after handling eggs. Do not wash eggs; refrigerate and cook thoroughly

Avian influenza

RouteInhalation of or contact with droppings and secretions of infected birds

PreventionKeep wild birds away. If several birds die suddenly, do not touch with bare hands; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral, via hands or equipment soiled with droppings

PreventionClean the cage wearing dedicated gloves. Do not wash cage equipment in the kitchen

Psittacosis (Chlamydia)

RouteInhalation of dust from dried droppings

PreventionMist droppings with water before cleaning. If fever or cough persists, tell your doctor you keep birds

Food

• Quail/chicken layer feed as the staple, available at all times
• Oyster shell and cuttlebone always available in a separate dish
• A small amount of leafy greens (komatsuna, pea shoots) daily

Water

• Shallow dish or drinker, changed daily. Shallow enough that chicks cannot drown
• In summer change twice a day and scrub off green slime

Toys & play

• A dust-bath container (sterilized sand or bird sand)
• Hang leafy greens to encourage foraging
• Lay hay or straw to create places to burrow

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark hideout the bird can enter (wooden box, quail shelter)
• With several birds, provide at least one hideout per bird

Bedding & litter

• Hay or pine shavings over a pet sheet
• Wire floors hurt the feet; use a flat solid floor
• Replace soiled, damp patches daily

Cage / housing material

Plastic tub, storage box or a low wooden cage. No wire-mesh ceiling

Size & space

At least 60 x 40 cm per bird; ceiling 30 cm or lower, or a soft ceiling

Layout

• Line the ceiling with netting, cloth or foam
• Place the hideout and dust bath apart from each other
• Keep food and water near the door for easy changing

Placement notes

• A quiet spot away from footsteps and shadows passing overhead
• Out of direct sun and air-conditioner drafts

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Supervised floor time inside a fenced area, 20–30 minutes
• No loud noises; keep dogs and cats away
• Check that a jump will not slam the bird into a desk or shelf

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureAdults 20–28°C; chicks start at 35°C in week 1 and are gradually lowered

Humidity40–60%. Watch for condensation and mold

Summer & winter

• Summer: above 30°C, use ice packs and air conditioning to prevent heatstroke
• Winter: heater to keep at least 15°C. Install a thermometer

Nail trimming

Trim only the tips when overgrown. If you cut the quick, press with styptic powder. If unsure, have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Keep a dust bath available to keep feathers and skin clean

Other care

Overgrown or deformed beak: see the vet. Weigh weekly to track changes

Protection from predators

• Separate from dogs, cats and ferrets; never in the same room
• Netting and sealed gaps to keep out wild birds and rodents
• Keep out mosquitoes and flies; insect screens in summer

Foreign-body ingestion

Picks up and eats fine sand, lint and bits of plastic from the floor. Avoid very fine sand and stringy bedding; regurgitation or loss of appetite means a vet visit

Being stepped on

Comes right to your feet, so watch where you step. During floor time sit rather than walk, and keep objects off the floor

Getting pinched

Easily caught in sliding doors, cage doors and storage-box lids. Close doors slowly and always check where the bird is first

Falls

Falls from desks and shelves, and crashes from vertical jumps. Never place it up high; when holding, cup chest and legs in both hands and stay low

Escape

Bolts through small gaps. Close windows during floor time. If it escapes, do not chase; darken the room and gently cover it with a towel to catch it

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and wait for the beak to let go
2. Cover its eyes with your other hand to darken its view
3. Once released, cup it in both hands and return it quietly to the cage
4. Pecking fights between males: block their view with a cloth and separate them

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and disinfect. Quail bites are minor, but see a doctor if swelling or pain persists

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Body weight, whether it is laying, photos of droppings, feed brand. Transport in a warmed carrier

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and see whether it opens its eyes or responds
• Check breathing by the rise and fall of the chest (normal 30–50 per minute)
• Feel the heartbeat with a finger on the chest (around 300 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5 minutes; do not rub
• Nails and beak: styptic powder or cornstarch
• Head bleeding: after pressing, keep dark and quiet and see the vet

Transport

• Line a small box with cloth, keep it dark and carry it
• Wrap a hand warmer in a towel for heat. Never let it touch the bird directly