How long does a coturnix molt last?
Once quail start molting, how many weeks should I expect before they’re back in full feather? Trying to tell if mine are on a normal timeline or if something else is going on. (Not a vet — going by what I’ve read and my own experience.)
Good question, Ron! Molts in Coturnix are usually quicker than you’d see in chickens — most birds cycle through in about 2 to 4 weeks from first noticeable feather drop to being fully feathered out again. A heavy molt (especially the first one around 6-8 weeks post-hatch, or a stress/seasonal molt in older hens) can stretch closer to 4-6 weeks if it hits hard.
A few things that can drag it out longer than that: low protein in the feed (molting birds actually benefit from a bump up toward 24-30% protein since they’re rebuilding all that feather keratin), stress from heat/cold swings, overcrowding, or mites/lice irritating the skin and slowing regrowth. Egg laying typically pauses or slows during molt too — that’s normal, not a red flag on its own.
If it’s been going much past 6 weeks with no real progress, or you’re seeing bald patches with irritated/scabby skin rather than just pin feathers coming in, that’s worth a closer look — could be mites or something else going on, and a vet check wouldn’t hurt at that point. How long has it been for yours, and are they eating/acting normal otherwise?
A note from one keeper to another: this answer shares what experienced keepers do, but it isn't veterinary advice. If a bird is sick, injured, or declining fast, contact an avian or poultry veterinarian right away — quail hide illness until it's serious.
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