Bad hatch, what happened??

[Rebel Rooster]

Maybe I missed it... what kind of quail are we talking about here?? I'm assuming (with time frames given), that we're talking about Coturnix... JR makes good points, He's the man when it comes to quail... I personally, have learned a lot from him over the last year and a half. I believe that shipping routes play the biggest factor in hatch results... I'm in central SC, and have hatched eggs from all over the country, and have noticed for sure, that where eggs are shipped from, and routes taken to my door, have effected hatches more than anything else... I won't order eggs west of the Mississippi unless they are coming from OK... This is something that works best for "me" thru much trial and error... I have 30 of JR's Butler Bobs in incubation now... He's in Fla. I'm in SC... and even in this heat, I haven't found an egg that isn't developing! I have learned thru many $$$$ and failed incubation & hatches, there there are certain areas of the country that "I" can't order eggs from and expect "reasonably" successful hatches... I have certain breeders (Like JR) that I can order from with a lot of confidence! You will learn (thru trial and error more than any other way) what will work best for you in your area of the country... I'll bet JR would say the same thing...

 

[ssbs]

Yeah, I'm thinking it would be best to try getting some from another person/area... That is what I'll have to try.

I am raising jumbo coturnix quail, they get big enough to butcher and mature quickly.

I had asked the person that they came from if it would be safe to let them breed so I could raise their chicks.. They said that would be fine. but now I'm planning on butchering all the males and replacing them with new stock from another source.

 

[mxpres]

Quote:
could you have had a drop in humidity from opening the bater too many times during the process of helping the chicks hatch???just a thought,I have had eggs shipped from florida to NC and got great hatch results

 

[ssbs]

No, I checked the fetus' just now.. About half were missing at least one eye, or both. All of their heads were deformed and they had no skull bone, except for one that did.

 

[aprophet]

I have a few Jumbo browns that are still laying if you want a dozen Eggs it would take me a coupla days there is a guy in hamptom on main street that keeps quail too I got a fairly good hatch from his eggs out of 17 eggs 9 were fertile developed of those 9, 8 survived / hatched easily they should be laying any day. He had not hatched any from his birds when he sold me the eggs. I was kina checking fertility.

 

[JJMR794]

The Definition Of Insanity Is Doing The Same Thing Over And Over Again And Expecting Different Results

Now We Can 2nd Guess This To Death And Never Have A Definitive Answer.... Get Some Eggs From A Different Source And Do Exactly As You Have On The 2 Previous Attempts... If The Results Are The Same The Problem Is In Your Equipment Or Method.... If They Are Different Its The Supplier Or Shipping. In Order To Accurately Fine Tune Anything You Need To Pinpoint The Problem.

 

[Stellar]

I also suggest a different source. Did you contact the person you got the eggs from? Shipping does have an affect on hatchability but almost 99.99999% of issues with eggs and incubation is the person incubating. I am not pointing fingers. I have gotten my fair share of eggs that never hatched. I only buy from breeders I know. I myself am a breeder of coturnix, specializing in the rarer colors. I tell my customers right at the batt that the reds are harder to hatch to their genetic make-up. I have studied the coturnix throughout college and they are my life. Communication is key at times. Talk to the seller, the seller should know if you are having problems hatching out their eggs. I wish you the best!!

 

[perolane]

Just to be on the safe side....also triple check your thermometer...buy a new one....have 2 or more in the bator that have the same reading. The majority of deformities are caused by temp spikes or genetics. You can rule out the temp quickly that way before you put any other eggs in.

 

[Stellar]

I agree with all of you, especially Shelleyd

Do not judge sellers, the heat does play a role in shipping as well. I am in FL, I have to collect all the eggs and bring them to a temp cooler so they don't start developing. If that means the dinner table is covered with eggs, so be it

There are sellers I know that I will not buy from because I know how they handle their birds,eggs, etc...but you can't judge a person unless you really know them.

If you want a really successful hatch, you can wait until it gets cooler or take a risk. When buying eggs, you always take a risk.

No eyes or skulls is a sign of a temp spike in the incubator. Just to make that part clear.