Quail chick's toes turning black

[eggy]

I have a quail chick that has been lifting its right leg up sometimes when standing, though it walks and runs fine. I noticed that two of its toes on that foot were black at the tip, but thought it was just some poop until I took a closer look. Now it appears that the toes themselves are turning black, and the very tip of one toe on its other foot is black, too. Is it anything to be concerned about?

Thanks,
eggy

[eggy]

Well, my wife rubbed some triple antibiotic ointment on the chick's toes, and they seem to be returning to normal. Just the claws are black on the three toes. I don't know what it was, but it's gone now.  

-eggy

[stewaw]

Couple of possibles- 1. Quail chicks often peck each other on the toes and with the pain will raise the injured leg so if there are others, that may be it. Note: There may or may not be blood if they just got the toe nail twisted
2. Quail chicks aren't the most intelligent of God's creations and if there isn't another bird around to peck their toes they won't hesitate to do it to themselves. Note: for obvious reasons, these cases are the easiest of all toe pecking to cure......They don't do it for long 3.  If the cage is wire bottomed they will often get a toe caught between the wire and hyperextend it.

David