Can you load a picture up here? Bumblefoot does not make scales on the bottom of the foot pads. Bumblefoot is not contagious either. Bumblefoot is an infection inside the pad of the foot from a puncture wound, cut or heavy bruising. They can also get it from standing too long on wire.
If the foot pad is really swollen, red and has a scab on the pad, then it is bumblefoot. With chickens you can do surgery, but it is a bit difficult with quail, being they are so small. But you can soak the foot in some warm epsom salt water for about 10 mins a day, apply some sort of antibacterial ointment and keep the bird on some very soft bedding material like pine shavings, grass hay or straw for several weeks. Be very clean. If you do attempt a surgery, make sure to use sterilized equipment, dig out the pus ball, use some antibacterial ointment and keep the foot wrapped with vet wrap for about a month til it heals. If you just do a surgery and don't wrap the wound, it will get horribly infected and kill the bird.
Antibiotics can be given by injection only. In the water antibiotics are useless for bumblefoot.
