Covered bowl is all I do. You can marinade, I usually brine them if they are to be grilled so the meat doesn't dry out. Tablespoon of salt per litre of water. Can add herbs and spices to the brine too.
I breed quail for eggs and meat. Until recently my husband dispatched them for me and I did the dressing. Now I do the lot. It is a set of mind and I came to accept it.
My birds have a good life, nice big pens, and seem happy. I start culling as soon as the boys start fighting as they can be...