Legs and feet in quail — splayed legs, curled toes, droppings on the toes, bumblefoot

Most leg and foot problems start in the first days of life or come from the floor. Much can be put right if you act early, some only with a vet. This page covers how to recognise each problem and what to do.

Chicks whose legs slide out sideways

A chick with splayed legs sits with its legs spread out to the sides and cannot get onto its feet. The usual cause is a smooth floor in the first days: on smooth paper, plastic or the bare incubator tray the legs slide away. Temperature errors during incubation and the feeding of the parent birds are named as further causes.

Prevention is simple: for the first five to seven days, rough paper covers the floor, such as corrugated cardboard or kitchen paper, as described in the article «Raising quail chicks».

If it has happened, a hobble helps if applied early: a soft band, for example a narrow strip of sticking plaster, around both legs above the feet so that the legs stand at normal width under the body. Renew the band daily; it must not cut in, and the chick must still reach feed and water. Once the chick stands steadily, the band comes off, often after a few days. The earlier you start, the better; if there is no improvement, see a vet.

Curled toes in chicks

If the toes curl inwards and the chick walks on its hocks, grows poorly and looks weak, the most common cause is a lack of riboflavin (vitamin B2) in fast-growing chicks fed an unsuitable feed. Caught early, the chicks often recover with riboflavin; if the deformity has been there for a long time, it stays. The vet sets the dose. Prevention: a starter feed for quail, turkey or pheasant chicks, as described in the article «Feeding quail».

Balls of droppings on the toes

On damp, dirty litter, droppings and litter dry around the toes into hard balls. In chicks the toes can then set crooked. Do not pull the balls off, or claws and skin come with them. Soak the feet in a shallow dish of lukewarm water until the droppings soften, then loosen them carefully; whatever does not give is soaked again the next day. Prevention: dry, clean litter, with wet patches replaced at once.

Bumblefoot

If the foot pad swells, often with a dark scab in the middle, and the bird limps, it is usually bumblefoot. Bacteria, mostly staphylococci, enter the sole through small injuries on hard, rough, wet or dirty floors. Heavier birds and cocks are affected more often. Bumblefoot needs a vet. Prevention: dry, clean litter, and in cages a wire floor with a suitable mesh size and no sharp edges.

Adult quail that limp

If an adult quail limps, an injury is usually behind it: caught in the wire, torn on a sharp edge, pecked in a fight over rank or hit against the roof when flying up. Look closely at the toes, feet and legs, and keep the bird separate so the others do not peck at it. If it is no better after one or two days, or the bird stops eating, see a vet.

In young, fast-growing birds, the tendon over the hock can slip off to the side (perosis); the leg then sticks out sideways. One known cause is a lack of manganese, often together with other nutrients such as choline. A suitable complete feed prevents it.