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Incubating humidity level for button quail???

post #1 of 17
2/5/12 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
I've read so many different and conflicting ranges for humidity levels for incubating button quail eggs. What's the acceptable range for days 1-13 and what's the lockdown range?

Any information would be appreciated smile.png
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post #2 of 17
2/5/12 at 6:58pm

I use the exact same method as I do for chicken eggs. DRY incubation. The days before lockdown average 20-25% and I add water only at lockdown to reach maximum humidity of 50-55%. I love this method. Most recently, I hatched 50 of 75 shipped button eggs.

 

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I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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post #3 of 17
2/5/12 at 9:31pm

If you are looking for an even better hatch rate, unless 2/3 is ok with you...do it like all the other game bird breeders do with great success and give it 45-55% at set and 70% humidity at lock down. Your chicks will pip and shrink wrap at low humidity levels...game birds are not chickens and have different requirements. But good luck to how ever you want to try....

Buckeyes, Belgian d'Anvers, OEGB, Blue Wheaten Ameraucana, EE, Peafowl, Quail- Coturnix, Blue Scaled, California Valley, Gambel's and Button, Pheasants-Jumbo Ring Neck, Black Melanistic, Yellow Golden, Chukars

My apologies if you don't get my sense of humor...

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Buckeyes, Belgian d'Anvers, OEGB, Blue Wheaten Ameraucana, EE, Peafowl, Quail- Coturnix, Blue Scaled, California Valley, Gambel's and Button, Pheasants-Jumbo Ring Neck, Black Melanistic, Yellow Golden, Chukars

My apologies if you don't get my sense of humor...

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post #4 of 17
2/6/12 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 

I bought a new Brinsea mini advanced and accidently filled up both water chambers for the first 10 days of the hatch.  I am assuming that the humidity was anywhere from 55-65% the entire 10 days.  I lowered it yesterday to 50% and will keep it there until lock down.  I am wondering if any will hatch?  Has anybody else had hope with humidity levels as high as mine for the first 10 days?

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post #5 of 17
2/7/12 at 3:48pm

What do you mean when you guys say "lockdown"?  I read I need to stop turning them three days prior to hatch date....

2 great kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a ferret, a rabbit, 2 guinea pigs, 2 rats, 2 zebra finches, 2 button quails, 4 ringneck doves, a ball python, and 9 tarantulas
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2 great kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a ferret, a rabbit, 2 guinea pigs, 2 rats, 2 zebra finches, 2 button quails, 4 ringneck doves, a ball python, and 9 tarantulas
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post #6 of 17
2/7/12 at 4:08pm

Lockdown is the last 3 days of incubating when there is no more turning of eggs. Lockdown means humidity levels should be increased and the incubator not opened until the hatch is over. Opening the incubator during those 3 days can result in chicks being shrink-wrapped by their membranes and not being able to hatch and they die in the shell. Most of us do open the incubator to remove dried chicks to the brooder. Open it as infrequently as possible and do it fast.

I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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I live with my partner and our daughter in the foothills of NC. We LOVE our critters!
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post #7 of 17
2/7/12 at 4:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfrancis View Post

If you are looking for an even better hatch rate, unless 2/3 is ok with you...do it like all the other game bird breeders do with great success and give it 45-55% at set and 70% humidity at lock down. Your chicks will pip and shrink wrap at low humidity levels...game birds are not chickens and have different requirements. But good luck to how ever you want to try....



i am with b on this one, i use this same %'s and hatch great, 100's at a time.

 Wife, 2 sons, 2 dogs, ** Coturnix Quails, and  4 Black & Mottled Bantam Cochins. Getting ready to move to France, pm me if you live over there!

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 Wife, 2 sons, 2 dogs, ** Coturnix Quails, and  4 Black & Mottled Bantam Cochins. Getting ready to move to France, pm me if you live over there!

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post #8 of 17
2/7/12 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 

I have been on pins and needles for the last 2 days and still have 2 days until the quails are expected to hatch.  I am wondering if any will hatch with the high humidity that I had, or if all of the developing ones will drown when they pip.  Has anyone been remotely successful (had any button quail hatch) from that high of humidity (55-65%) for the first 10 days?

 

 

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post #9 of 17
2/7/12 at 6:10pm

My first hatch of buttons was not planed out and did not have a Hygrometer and just guessed. After getting a Hygrometer I would have to guess the first batch was running 60 to 70%. sad.png        The hatch rate was not great but everyone that had developed hatched and none drown. I hope everything goes well for you!

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post #10 of 17
2/7/12 at 6:30pm

you should be ok, it was a bit high, but i run 50% till lockdown with good hatch rates.

 Wife, 2 sons, 2 dogs, ** Coturnix Quails, and  4 Black & Mottled Bantam Cochins. Getting ready to move to France, pm me if you live over there!

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 Wife, 2 sons, 2 dogs, ** Coturnix Quails, and  4 Black & Mottled Bantam Cochins. Getting ready to move to France, pm me if you live over there!

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