Dying Coturnix Quails?

[Bobchicken93]

I have 2 female Coturnix quails and l am wondering if you can dye them. Can you wash them in food colouring of use a toothbrush/paint brush to put the food colouring on the bird? I know you can do it with most chickens but I have only had quails for about 6 months and do not know a lot about them.

 

[Afterfeather]

I've used a paintbrush to put a little food colouring on both chick and adult Coturnix without a problem. I'd imagine as long as its warm enough for them to dry then they'll be fine.

 

[lomine]

Just don't use red.

 

[CheerfulChirp]

mmm....I'd make it a large patch and not a small spot, and I wouldn't put dye anywhere peck-sensitive like on the head or near the vent or the ends of the wings. Curious flock-mates will try and helpfully 'remove' it for them. I have a Tibetan/British Range tux with white feathers over her eyes like eyebrows, and she gets many a well-intentioned peck from the others. When she ducks, they get her eyes.

They also try and remove my moles, and they're faint, a natural-looking brown, and flat.

If you try it, let me know how you get on. I vent-sexed my chicks and by the time I came to separate them I'd forgotten which ones were which

. If food coloring works for you, I'll probably use it myself on my next hatch.

 

[Bobchicken93]

Ok thanks for your help

I will consider trying to dye them. If I do I will let you know how it goes.