Button quail eggs in a Hova-bator Genesis 1588 (First attempt)

[CatJane0x0]

I set up my new incubator and placed in the eggs from my 4 month old buttons. (Their baby pic is in on My Page!) They may plan to incubate future eggs on their own because I caught them rolling the eggs about a few times recently. That would be great! Is that a good sign that they may?

Well -- the eggs are set in there on self-turning quail rails at 100-101 degrees with 50-53 humidity. I have a humidifier in the room for the last stage in case I need it. I am using an Acu-rite and a crappy Springflied that doesn't seem to go any higher than 45% humidity.
I am using that clever idea a user on here had of an eye dropper with fish tubing through the top for adding water during lockdown.

I'm on day 8 and 1/2 with all but 3 of 16 eggs. I put the last ones in about 3 days later because I just couldn't help myself.
Well, I had a fairly easy time candling these eggs. I've read that it is hard to do, but I bought an LED 130 lumen by Black and Decker... it works wonders! I checked into the 5 day old eggs a few hours ago and couldn't believe it...already movement in a small bulge surrounded by veins! They grow quickly in there! The older eggs seem solid with only a small trace of green tinted yolk and veins to be seen on the pointed bottom spot. I think that's good?

I wanted to ask you guys- should I place them in a rail carton on the bottom during lockdown? I heard they hatch easier this way. I am planning to begin lockdown on the 14th day.

Thanks!

 

[SunshineSilkies]

I love my 1588's!!! Don't have to worry about the temp...Have hatched many quail and silkies from my bators

 

[CatJane0x0]

I'm glad to hear -- I read a lot of panic threads about incubating from a lot of new hatchers.

I'm trying to stay chilled with it all and let it work the magic, lol -- seems like they're growing in there. I haven't seen any bacteria rings or quitters. I think I am seeing things correctly...looks like they're filling up most the shell in there! Half way there I hope!

Any opinion on leaving them in the cartons on lockdown? I am trying to decide if I should just lay them down natural on their sides or what?

Lockdown in 4 days!

 

[CatJane0x0]

They hatched right on the 16th day! I took many pictures and also have some videos. I watched them all hatch out! I ended up leaving them in the carton and got the humidity up to about 65-68 with a boost to 70 from the eggs hatching.

Here they are:

About 6 hours later, they are placed in their brooder tank:

(I lowered it from 98 down to 96 degrees once they dried off. They seem happy with that.)


That last egg that didn't hatch.... I opened it up very gently from the air sac area. Here is what was inside:

I didn't realize the way it looked like it was on the couch with the lady until now....jeez. Anyhow, it is missing the top beak and has a really long bottom piece. The eyes are just white holes and the head is deformed as well. I am glad it was dead when I opened it. Probably for the best.

10 out of 11...I am very happy with that!

There were actually 5 (not 3) that I placed in there late....so we'll see if they make it yet in the next few days. So a grand total of 16 eggs but I'll be surprised if those hatch. We'll see.

 

[CatJane0x0]

http://s928.photobucket.com/albums/ad125/kittyjane0x0/Quail%20Chicks%202010/?action=view&current=Buttons.mp4

Above it a video of the hatch... check it out!
Looks like a good variety of colors in this batch.

I'm pretty sure the last five eggs are about to hatch. I heard some scratching going on in a couple of them last night.
I am keeping the humidity up between 65-68 with 100 degrees steady.

I hope they make it!

 

[CatJane0x0]

4 out of 5 hatched! 14 total....that's 88 percent I think. I'm happy with that.

They're so cute...

 

[VioletandBodie]

the pic of the dead one scared the crap outa me all the sudden i see hair a face and a dead fetuse..... the live are vary cute and all seemed to look eger to egg outa the eggs

 

[CatJane0x0]

Lol, I'm sorry! I thought about it being too gross to share...but that is all part of the experience of life so I put it up as well. It was sad, but also interesting. I am hoping I don't see that in the next hatch...I can handle the normal deads, but that one was a little creepy. I think I had good temps and humidity going with minimal, clean egg handling as far as that goes. Just a birth defect. Poor fellow. I saw something worse on here. I forget the user's name at the moment, but one of her eggs was filled with a big meaty glob the shape of the egg itself. I am grateful not to have ever had that happen before at least.

So far all 14 chicks are strong and healthy....they call "Wheeee!" and for some reason it gets my adult boys howling. I wonder what they're thinking and why they go off like that.

 

[Surehatch]

Well done with your successful hatch!

 

[CatJane0x0]

Thank you, Surehatch --

I have already begun my second, but last batch of the year. We'll see how it goes with the same settings again.
I have several takers for some of these little fellas that I know will treat them well and enjoy them...hope I can keep myself from getting attached to all of them!
When I get confident enough, I would like to try my luck hatching a few heritage turkeys. I'll do my research for next year.