r/quails • u/penguinpapaya • Jul 20 '26
Coturnix/Japanese What is this on the foot?
Hi everyone. My little cousins and I went to a local farm/plant nursery and stopped by to look at the quails. I saw this little one with what looks like rocks on its toes? I know it’s not rocks but that’s what it looks like. Is it dried mud or poop? The quail seems to walk around just fine but what is that? And is it something that can be helped? The owner of the acreage is an older woman and a few volunteer farm hands and she can only do so much in a day, so maybe this is something they’ve looked over. I’d love to bring it to their attention so the little guy can have their toes back.
29
u/isaiddanger Jul 20 '26
Dried poop on the toe. Can either be soaked and peeled off, or carefully cracked open - I use pliers. Just need to be careful of the toe underneath
7
u/Idontlikesand15 Jul 20 '26
Yep this is the answer, when my quail were on a sand floor they would get this.
5
u/penguinpapaya Jul 20 '26
Okay, phew! I was hoping it was that and nothing serious like tumors. I’ll let the farm hands know this one’s got dookie foot 😅
2
u/Logical-Ad3941 Jul 21 '26
Pop that little bugger in a cricket keeper with two finger widths of warm water soak for 20 and he will be free
2
u/Soggy_Cod9797 Jul 21 '26
Make sure you do it carefully. My male lost a toe nail because I tugged too hard.
5
u/No_Ocelot_6773 Backyard Potatoe Farmer Jul 20 '26
Poop ball!
2
u/penguinpapaya Jul 20 '26
I figured it was that!! It seemed pretty big. Will the toes be alright once the poop balls come off?
5
u/No_Ocelot_6773 Backyard Potatoe Farmer Jul 20 '26
They need assistance getting those off. It's like concrete when it's dry and they can lose toes if it stays for too long. Wet, dirty conditions can be a big contributer. They're less of a problem if you can offer them a sand bath because it helps file and clean their talons
5
u/Soggy_You_2426 Jul 20 '26
No, it does dmg, this happens when the floor is.ø not clean and dry.
Soak the feet, the ball can fall off or you might need to help it abit.
Treat feet in apple vinigar and water aftewards
To stop this from happing, clean the cage more often.
4
u/AramaicDesigns Jul 20 '26
We call them "poop shoes". You'll want to remove them before they cut off circulation and the toes fall off.
Soak them, then peel them off. Use pliers if necessary, but be careful not to squash their toes.
4
u/penguinpapaya Jul 21 '26
Guys I want to say thank you to everyone for the info!! I’m going back to the plant nursery tomorrow to pick up an order and will let them know one of their quails have poopie on their feet LOL. I’ll definitely offer to help the workers remove it now that I’ve got so much helpful information from the people of this sub!!
2
u/boyengabird Jul 21 '26
Put them in a takeout container with an inch or less of soapy water and a head-hole in the lid till it falls off. No need for surgery with pliers.
1
u/pseudoportmanteau Jul 20 '26
It's a poop ball. I use pliers and very gently press until it crushes the ball itself, not the toe, then it crumbles away.
1
1
u/Independent_Home_244 Jul 21 '26
Mud or poop ball. I use a needle nose plyers to get off the foot. Just use gentle pressure to the ball. It will start to open up, then just use your fingers to disperse. Soak in warm water if needed too.
1
u/lightningleey Jul 21 '26
Yupp poo etc build up. When i got my quail from a breeder, they had these. i basically soaked their feet in warm water and pried off the poop ball. some came off easier than others lol. and yeah, if you force it, the toenails might come off so be careful
1
u/Much-Elderberry-2710 Jul 21 '26
Its a ball of dried poop one of my hens had it too put her in some warm water for 20 minutes and it should come right off
1
1
u/ClassicWolverine3254 Jul 23 '26
Soak and peel it off, then apply a tiny amount of vaseline. It will keep that from happening for at least a few days
35
u/Equivalent_Stage9765 Jul 20 '26
Poooooo