How should I wash my dirty quails? I know it sounds strange :(

I know this is strange question but may be someone with white silkies or white birds can understand my problem.

I have a pair of white coturnix quails. They were little dirty when I brought them and now they become Greyish. They are healthy and breeding as well.

I don't like when people think them as grey chickens, I mean they don't look like quails anymore (ugh). I have washed them with little bit of water (in summer) but I cant get their color back.

Can anyone suggest what should I use to wash and clean their dirty feathers so it can get back in original color?

When they molt, their feathers will come in beautiful and new.

You can always try a bath with white vinegar and water, but be sure you dry them and keep them warm until they are dry. Apparently lots of people wash their house chickens, and the chickens even enjoy it...and the blow dryer!

ETA: I don't really think this is a health issue, maybe you can get better feedback in the quail subforum?

Thanks for guiding.

I don't see why you couldn't use a whitening shampoo meant for cats or dogs on your quail. Should help to bring out the white color. I've plopped my quail in the sink and hosed them down with the sprayer from time to time, just because they get a bit dusty (and smell weird) after awhile. They don't seem to exactly like being bathed, but they don't really seem to put up much of a fight either You could always throw a heat lamp in the cage after a bath to keep them warm too.

owlett5 said:

I don't see why you couldn't use a whitening shampoo meant for cats or dogs on your quail. Should help to bring out the white color. I've plopped my quail in the sink and hosed them down with the sprayer from time to time, just because they get a bit dusty (and smell weird) after awhile. They don't seem to exactly like being bathed, but they don't really seem to put up much of a fight either

You could always throw a heat lamp in the cage after a bath to keep them warm too.

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You might need to monitor the "whitening" part of that in reference to the time you have before "white" becomes "purple" (depending on the shampoo you use) due to the difference in how feathers might absorb the color compared to cat/dog hair. I know we've come close to having lightly purpled white areas on my horse a time or two while bathing for show. I'd do a small test area and see how quickly the feathers took the color.

Ol Grey Mare said:

You might need to monitor the "whitening" part of that in reference to the time you have before "white" becomes "purple" (depending on the shampoo you use) due to the difference in how feathers might absorb the color compared to cat/dog hair. I know we've come close to having lightly purpled white areas on my horse a time or two while bathing for show. I'd do a small test area and see how quickly the feathers took the color.

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Not that purple quails is a bad thing! (hahaha jk)

My daughter put about an inch of luke-warm water in the tub and put them in. I really didn't know if they would drink the water or not, so I just used plain water. I was afraid that if I used any type of shampoo, it would be harmful to them. She had a solo cup on hand to collect any droppings... they poop in the food, the water, and yes, the bathtub. Just like a robin or any other bird that stops by the bird bath; the quail would splash around. As she took each one out, she would gently towel dry them and put them on the floor. I set up 4 heatlamps on a broom stick and suspended it between the counter top and a towel bar. They sunned themselves until they were fully dry. I had some newspaper on the floor just for their poop.

Edited to add: I don't want to sound like a "smarty pants", but I think using a shampoo for "something it wasn't made for" would be a bad idea. It's like using Laundry detergent in the dishwasher... or Mothers California Gold Car Wash to wash your hair (something I don't have to worry about). It wasn't made for it, so you really shouldn't use it. Some people I know wash their cars with dish detergent, but that is the worse thing you can do to your cars finish. Just my opinion, but plain water would suffice. I'm sending a PM to Stellar to get her opinion.
James

I know that if you want a brilliant white back, alot of people I know that show chickens use Borax Laundry detergent. But don't let the bird drink it! and then once the bird is washed, rinse the detergent out fully so it doesn't ingest any while preening. This Borax really brightens white birds!

As I am following your posts and understanding. What if I use mild shampoo or baby shampoo or even mild soap. I don't think it will hurt birds skin.
If you know quails, male quails don't like hand touch and start jumping (even out of sink/tub).
I will try with little warm water as if they like to take bath by themselves.

Yes, you can use baby shampoo, but it may not remove the discoloration.

Plain white vinegar is a natural and gentle cleansing, deodorizing and whitening agent. It is also very cheap!
It will leave the feathers very silky and smooth.