Sick Quail Symptoms: What to Watch for in Coturnix Quail
Raising Coturnix quail can be incredibly rewarding—these little birds are hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable. But like any livestock, they’re not immune to illness. And because quail tend to hide their symptoms until things get serious, spotting early warning signs is key to keeping your covey healthy.
I’ve raised thousands of birds over the years, and I’ve learned to trust my gut when something seems “off.” This post will help you do the same—learn to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of sickness in your quail, understand what might be causing them, and know how to respond.
Common Behavioral Symptoms of Sick Quail
Your first clue is usually a change in behavior. Quail are creatures of habit. Once you know what’s normal, it’s easier to spot what’s not.
Lethargy or Isolation
If a quail that’s usually active suddenly starts sitting in a corner, barely moving, or keeping its eyes closed for long stretches, that’s a red flag. Sick quail often isolate themselves or fall behind when the group is foraging or feeding.
Loss of Appetite or Thirst
A healthy Coturnix quail eats and drinks throughout the day. If you see a bird ignoring feed or standing near the waterer without drinking, something’s likely wrong.
Huddling or Shivering
Sick quail often huddle, even when the brooder or pen is warm. You’ll notice them puffed up and fluffed out, trying to conserve body heat. This symptom shows up in a lot of illness types, from coccidiosis to respiratory infection.
Unusual Sounds—or Silence
Quail don’t make a ton of noise, but a sick bird may sound raspy or labored when breathing. A usually chatty hen going quiet can also be a subtle early sign.
Physical Symptoms to Watch Closely
Once you notice behavioral changes, give the bird a closer look.
Constantly Fluffed-Up Feathers
We all love a round, fluffy quail—but if a bird stays puffed up all day, especially while looking sleepy or hunched, it’s likely unwell. This is one of the most common signs of illness and often shows up early.
Weight Loss or Thinness
Run your finger along the keel bone (breastbone). If it feels sharp or the muscles seem sunken, that bird is losing weight. That’s not something to ignore.
Eye and Nose Discharge
Healthy quail have bright, alert eyes. Swelling, bubbles, or crusty buildup around the eyes or nostrils can signal respiratory issues or infection.
Abnormal Droppings
This one’s big. Watch for diarrhea, green or yellow droppings, bloody droppings, or an unusually foul smell. All are warning signs—especially when combined with lethargy or puffed-up posture. These are classic coccidiosis symptoms, and you’ll want to act fast.
Labored Breathing or Wheezing
Heavy breathing, open-mouth panting, or wheezing means you may be dealing with bronchitis, mycoplasma, or another respiratory illness.
Signs of Injury, Mites, or External Issues
Limping or Sitting Often
Foot and leg injuries are common, especially in wire-bottom cages. A limp could also point to a vitamin deficiency—usually B-complex or riboflavin.
Feather Loss or Constant Scratching
Feather loss around the neck, vent, or under the wings can indicate a mite infestation. Check closely for dark specks or irritated skin.
If you suspect mites or lice, head over to Maintaining Quail Health: Tips for Preventing Mites and Parasites for natural prevention and treatment strategies.
Serious Illnesses in Coturnix Quail
Here’s a quick rundown of three of the most common (and serious) quail illnesses I’ve encountered on the homestead:
Coccidiosis in Quail
Cause: Protozoa from contaminated droppings
Symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Fluffed feathers
- Watery or bloody droppings
- Rapid weight loss
- Huddling
Action: Isolate the bird. Start Amprolium in the water immediately and clean the pen thoroughly. Add probiotics after treatment to support gut recovery.
Quail Bronchitis (Respiratory Infections)
Cause: Viral or bacterial infection, often stress-related
Symptoms:
- Wheezing or open-mouth breathing
- Swollen eyes or nasal discharge
- Drop in egg production
Action: Improve airflow and sanitation. Isolate affected birds. Consider antibiotics for secondary infections, and offer extra protein for recovery.
Ulcerative Enteritis
Cause: Clostridium bacteria
Symptoms:
- Sudden death in young birds
- Severe diarrhea
- Sudden weight loss
Action: Isolate birds immediately. Treat with antibiotics like bacitracin or penicillin. Disinfect the brooder or pen thoroughly.
Egg Binding
Cause: Poor nutrition (especially low calcium), cold temps, oversized eggs, obesity, or dehydration
Symptoms:
- Straining or frequent trips to the nest without laying
- Swollen or hard abdomen near the vent
- Lethargy, puffed-up feathers, and labored breathing
- Isolation from the rest of the covey
Action: Move the hen to a warm, quiet space. Offer calcium (like crushed Tums) and hydration. A warm bath or gentle abdominal massage may help. Lubricate the vent with coconut or olive oil. If the egg doesn’t pass within 24 hours, consult a vet or be prepared to cull humanely.
If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with yet, take a look at Common Quail Diseases and How to Prevent Them—it breaks down the most likely culprits behind sudden symptoms and gives you a head start on figuring out what your birds might be facing.
What to Do If You Spot Sick Quail Symptoms
- Isolate the Bird. Always separate the sick bird right away.
- Keep Them Warm. Ill quail can’t regulate temperature well.
- Support with Nutrition. Offer high-protein snacks (like mealworms or boiled egg yolk), probiotics, and electrolyte water.
- Clean the Pen. Disinfect waterers, feeders, and bedding.
- Evaluate the Whole Covey. Catching a spread early saves lives.
- Cull If Necessary. If the bird declines rapidly or shows signs of a contagious illness, culling may be the most humane and responsible choice.
How to Keep Illness Out of Your Covey
When it comes to quail health, prevention really is your best line of defense. A few solid habits go a long way toward keeping your birds thriving and stopping disease before it ever gets a foothold.
- Keep Pens Clean and Dry: Dirty pens are breeding grounds for trouble. I spot-clean droppings daily and do a deeper clean every week or two—especially in brooder setups or during wet weather.
- Always Offer Fresh Water: Quail need constant access to clean, fresh water. If you’re adding supplements like vitamins or electrolytes, make sure they also have plain water nearby so they can regulate their intake.
- Feed a Balanced, High-Quality Diet: Good feed builds strong immune systems. Protein matters most, but don’t skimp on overall nutrition. I break it all down in my Ultimate Coturnix Quail Feeding Guide.
- Quarantine New Birds: I never introduce new birds to an established covey without a two-week quarantine. It’s just not worth the risk—healthy-looking quail can still carry disease.
- Watch for Stress Triggers: Sudden weather changes, overcrowding, or predators lurking around the pen can put your birds on edge. A stressed quail is a vulnerable quail. Keep their setup calm, consistent, and roomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fluffed feathers and lethargy are classic signs of illness, often due to coccidiosis or a respiratory infection.
Green, yellow, watery, or bloody droppings are all red flags. Healthy droppings should be firm, brown, and capped with a white urate.
It depends on the illness. For coccidiosis or parasites, yes. For isolated injuries or individual stress, not always.
I know how hard it is to see one of your birds decline—and how frustrating it can be to not know what’s wrong. But once you learn the signs of a sick quail and how to respond, you’ll feel a lot more confident caring for your covey.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Catching symptoms early and taking quick action is the best way to protect your birds and avoid losing more than one.
Want to go deeper into proactive care? Check out my post on Natural Remedies for Common Quail Health Issues for gentle, effective ways to keep your covey thriving.
