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

Hello there, I wash my Japanese Quail all the time for shows and different things, especially the white and tuxedo colours. Before showing Quail I have shown Bantams for years so I decided to continue using the 3 bucket method for washing them. You will find that if they are paired up for breeding they tend to get more dirty so I separate the males and females about a week before the show. As the method syas its just 3 Buckets the first bucket is a bucket of warm water with detergent, I use Johnsons baby shampoo, you slowly dip them up and down into the water never letting their heads go under as Quail drown very quickly. Make sure all the droppings and stains have been removed then dip them into another bucket of warm clean water, then I like put about 2 tablespoons of conditioner into a bucket with warm water and make sure its thoroughly diluted and follow the same method of dipping in and out. Some people use the 3rd wash for other things but I find the conditioner works so well and gives shiny feathers and I use an organic conditioner to lessen the chance of irritations ."Remember only a little conditioner ". I then take it out and towel dry the quail very very gently if its still very wet use the hairdryer on low if its too hot for you on your hand its way too how for the quail and never use direct heat use your hand in between the dryer and Quail. Then put your Quail into a clean cage, its pointless doing all the washing to only put the quail back into a dirty cage. Have Fun and try to encourage your friends to get quails so there are more of us showing at the Royal Show this year entries are now open and are only $1 each entry and this includes your entry. If you have any further info u can contact me at [email protected]
also to enter your quails into the royal show do it online at http://www.theshow.com.au/show-entries.jsp

Shane T

I used to have a white Coturnix too, and he would get so dirty from playing outside. I would wash him in the summer with warm water and a mild dog shampoo. In his later years he developed an overactive preen-gland, and I would use Dawn dish soap in that area specifically. He didn't really like the water too much, but he liked getting blow dried or sitting outside and sunning after a good drying with a towel.

Dealing with this very issue now... my old pair of white coturnix are brite white, but the new one is so filthy from dust bathing that he looks grey now. I bathe my quail all the time and they like it just fine... I swaddle them in a warm fluffy towel after and dry them well. I just gave this one a bath with mild soap and it did nothing to bring the color back. He still looks dirty. I’m going to try the whitening shampoo next and will post results. As for everyone posting not to get the quail wet... hogwash. They get rained on in the wild. One of my quail went missing and I found him floating in the pool, apparently dead. Jumped in, pulled him out, wrapped him in a towel, and dried him off with a hairdryer... he gasped for air and fully recovered. Quail are much more resilient than chickens.

Still filthy...

Don't forget, coturnix are not wild quail. They're domesticated and should not be treated like wild animals. Also, wild animals die of exposure.
If your quail have gotten wet, make sure they have somewhere warm.

Are you sure he hasn't just molted and grown in a slightly greyer set of feathers? Also, if he is dirty, why does it matter as long as he's healthy? Are you taking him to a show?

No, he hasn’t molted yet and because he looks a mess. And I just said that they were dried and warm. I love how you are judging me because I want my animals to look clean. The self-righteousness on these forums is unbearable at times.

Good night and god bless.

The difference between rain and a bath is whether or not the water gets under the feathers. A little beading on the surface won't chill them, but being submerged or sprayed will make their skin wet and stop their down from working, keeping them from regulating temperature properly.

All quail get equally dirty by dirt bathing, it just looks the worst on the white ones. Kinda unavoidable when they roll in the dust every day. Maybe wipe them down with a damp/gently soaped cloth when it bugs you rather than stress them with a bath?