Button quail incubating eggs

[Derrickapw]

Hey guys, I have some button quail eggs I’m trying to hatch. I have the incubator set at 99 and humidity stays between 45-50%. I’ve read that it is supposed to be either 99.5°-101.5° but my incubator does not do half degrees. Sorry, I’m not the most articulate or the most in order with my explaining. I started them on Sept. 5 at noon, so tomorrow at noon is when I would take the egg rotator out and put a non slip mat under the eggs. Does this all sound correct? Do I need to raise the incubator by a degree to 100°? Is that safe? Or just leave the temp where it is and try and let them hatch as is? Also, will some hatch between day 15-18 or what is the likelihood they all hatch in one day? Sorry guys, very inexperienced here with incubating eggs. I have chickens, ducks and this year I have added coturnix quail and button quail. Unfortunately, the button quail chicks I got grew up to all be boys! So that is why I am trying to hatch eggs!

 

[Derrickapw]

I meant to put 99.5-100.5

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

I don’t know a lot about incubation either.
Maybe:
@BlindLemonChicken
@The Moonshiner
@redinator

 

[redinator]

I haven't hatched quail, only chickens, and I've only hatched two batches of chicken eggs so far. But as far as I know those temps are the best range, minor fluctuations aren't a real concern. Chicken hens tend to get off the nest periodically to eat, dust bathe etc. I'm not sure if quail behave in the same way or not.

Once your temp is set all you should need to do is monitor humidity and add small amounts of water as needed to keep it in the correct range.

My biggest problem with my incubator was getting the humidity higher during lockdown. I found adding a CLEAN damp sponge worked wonders.

I did find this thread that seems very detailed and is specifically about hatching quail eggs that you might find useful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...to-hatching-quail-eggs-by-a-beginner.1119754/

Oh, yeah . . breathe! Staring at them doesn't help them hatch faster (trust me, I tried) and will only stress you out. Then by the time the chicks hatch you'll be too exhausted to actually enjoy them. Good luck!

 

[redinator]

Here's another article about incubation in general: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

 

[Derrickapw]

Update: so far I have had 6 chicks hatch and I still have until the end of the day tomorrow. Do I need to take these guys out tonight when they get dry? First couple hatched somewhere between 10pm and 2am and the other half hatched this morning since I’ve been at work and went back on a lunch break. Do I need to wait as long as I can until opening? If so, will the chicks that have already hatched be okay? Help! lol

 

[Tex452]

Update: so far I have had 6 chicks hatch and I still have until the end of the day tomorrow. Do I need to take these guys out tonight when they get dry? First couple hatched somewhere between 10pm and 2am and the other half hatched this morning since I’ve been at work and went back on a lunch break. Do I need to wait as long as I can until opening? If so, will the chicks that have already hatched be okay? Help! lol

I take my chickens and corturnix quail out as soon as they are dry, I seem to get a better hatch when they aren’t rolled around so much.

 

[Derrickapw]

Wow, you’re so right. I didn’t even think about that. They’ve sure been in there kicking them around, and that’s the whole point of lockdown. They probably won’t hatch now, huh? It’s 18 days for buttons and tomorrow would be day 18

 

[Tex452]

Wow, you’re so right. I didn’t even think about that. They’ve sure been in there kicking them around, and that’s the whole point of lockdown. They probably won’t hatch now, huh? It’s 18 days for buttons and tomorrow would be day 18

They will hatch, if they started pipping, roll the pip to the side or to not the bottom.