18 Button Quail Eggs in "Lockdown" 07/04/2010

[Denninmi]

Well, my 18 remaining eggs were put into lockdown a few minutes before midnight last night which was almost exactly 15 days from the time put into the incubator. Temp 99.6 and humidity set at 68%.

I candled them and frankly couldn't tell much at all. All of them appeared to have developed to the point of basically filling the shell with something. I could still discern some reddish appearance of blood vessels in many. But I really couldn't say if anyone is alive in there or not. No sign of internal pips in any from what I could tell.

Based on past experiences I think I'm bound to get at least part of them hatch successfully. BUT, these eggs are a NERVEWRACKING experience compared to duck and turkey eggs -- too small, too dark, and too delicate for my nerves. I'll be glad when they are done one way or the other.

16 days would be tonight at around 11:45 PM. 18 days would be July 6 at 11:45 PM. So, sometime in that time frame I might get quail. I have read it can take up to 20 days under some circumstances, so I won't give up until at least that point. Will post updates if something happens.

Thanks for reading.

 

[KimberlyJ]

Yes button quail are nerve wracking....but please do not give up on the little guys too soon. Mine we brooded by a hen and I cannot give you a precise number of days it took to hatch, we were out of town when she started sitting. However, I used to frequent button quail sites and many of the people that used incubators had success after 22 or so days. IF your temps were low at any point the eggs may take a few extra days, but still hatch. They are amazing little bubble bees with tooth pick legs!! Good Luck!

 

[jerseygirl1]

They are awesome, good luck!!!!!!!I loved hatching mine, they are the size of pennies!!