Late Hatching Chicken and Quail Eggs Day 26 and counting

[RR Homestead]

We have quite the mystery going on and are in need of some input. We have a batch of chicken eggs and a batch of Quail eggs currently incubating. Both the quail and chicken eggs went on lockdown on the 15th of February. Today makes day 26 And no hatches, so we chalked it up to a loss on both hatches. As we started to clean out the incubators on of the eggs cracked open and there was a fully vital chick! So we put all the eggs back in. We decided to check the quail eggs (which 26 days is crazy) and there was a fully vital one in there too!! We are sitting here scratching our heads in confusion. These are not our first batches and we’ve done everything the same as in the past. We run to Brinsea 506EX incubators. 99.5 degrees and 45% humidity during incubation and 99.5 degrees and 70% humidity during lock down. We usually have a successful 85% hatch rate. We are going to let these guys keep cooking for a few more days (to day 30) if anyone has ever experienced this or knows what might have happened I’m all ears.

 

[Huntmaster]

fully vital chick!

What does this mean fully formed? Was it moving?

 

[RR Homestead]

What does this mean fully formed? Was it moving?

Yes, they were moving and breathing. full sized chicks, Just never hatched. The chicken egg we cracked open, the chick unfortunately didn’t make it. The quail egg we opened up managed to pull through and is doing just fine. We still have the other unmatched ones on lock down. We are now on day 29.

 

[TesoroSena]

I had a chick hatch day 32. I didn't help it, but unless you only want the strongest chicks, carefully help it out. Maybe watch a few videos first so not to hurt anything.

 

[Huntmaster]

Quail usually hatch within 18 days and if low incubating temps maybe 3 or so days past that, but never heard of any making it out alive and healthy at 26 days let alone 29. Hoping the best for you and your hatching.

 

[RR Homestead]

An Update! We had our first chicken pip and hatch this afternoon. It isn’t moving to much, but hopefully pulls through. Still kinda mind blown that they took this long, but glad we didn’t stop the process. Turned out to be a new learning experience.
Will have picture of both quail and chickens posted soon.