Brinsea Mini Eco Ordered!

[NerdyBirdy]

Pretty excited to have ordered this incubator today, but I was curious if anyone knows if I'll need to modify it at all for button quail and if it requires any special care for this species. Thanks in advance for any help!

V.

 

[SavageChick]

I have this same incubator. Here is what I have experienced with this incubator....

For button quail eggs, you will need to get the additional quail turning tray (it holds 12 eggs), as the standard one that comes with the unit has holes that are too large for smaller eggs. Here is a photo of the quail egg tray....

Tip: Keep Both Sides Of Water Well Filled Throughout Incubation. On my first two hatches with this unit, I had less than 50/50 hatch rate, with several chicks fully developed but stuck to the shell/dried up and unable to hatch completely. Then, I came across someone's suggestion on a quail forum to fill both sides of the water well throughout the entire incubation for button quail eggs, as they require more humidity than other eggs. On my last hatch, I kept both sides filled from beginning to end of incubation, and 11/12 chicks hatched completely with no problems. There was a noticeable difference early on with more movement and wobbling of eggs with this additional water added - the chicks were stronger too. So, although the instruction manual calls for only one side of the well to be filled until lock-down, I would recommend keeping both sides filled throughout incubation for your button quail eggs.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your hatch!

 

[NerdyBirdy]

Thanks for your help; I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get the incubator up and running.

V.

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

I am waiting on my first hatch of texas A&M quail chicks from my Brinsea Mini Eco. I also have a
Brinsea Octogon 20 that holds 60 quail eggs, but wanted something for smaller hatches. I opted for the Eco because without the Auto Turn function i could fit 24 eggs inside instead of just 12 with the quail tray. My observations throughout this hatch:

Incubator held temperature very solid. Uses a Brinsea Glass Thermometer that is known to be very accurate.

The little water tray needs to be filled every couple of days which is not a problem. There is also a lid on the water tray now to keep baby quail from drowning . I don't know how they would get in there, but that is one of the complaints i had read. But apparently this problem is fixed with the lid.

Prior to lockdown i cut a round piece of rubber non slip mat, the kind used in cupboards to keep plates from slipping around?

The incubator is very quiet and allows me to see all the eggs clearly.

I don't see why the Automatic Turn tray wouldn't fit the incubator. It would just require manually turning three times a day. It would aleviate turning each egg seperately, but would sacrafice incubator space.

My eggs should hatch Monday or Tuesday, but so far i am impressed with this little $80 incubator.