Coturnix quail: one hatched, others late hatching?

loyalcrowlist

Songster
Apr 9, 2022
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So, I'm incubating my first clutch of coturnix quail and it hasn't been smooth, honestly. We've had a few heat spikes and our home doesn't have A/C and then the incubator was accidentally unplugged for a few hours, though the house was still fairly hot, around 27-28 degrees. I was prepared to have none of these eggs hatch but now I'm kind of in a worse situation.

One has hatched, but it's almost 24 hours later and none of the others have even started to pip. When I put them into lockdown, the ones I could see through the shell of looked good, but I'm worried because there was another heat spike during the first day of lockdown where it got up to around 38. How likely are any of the other eggs to hatch? I don't want the baby that did hatch to be alone.
 
Did you trust your incubator's readings? You should always have a calibrated thermometer or three inside the incubator.

Can you see anything when you candle? What day are you on? I would give them at least two more days if you can't see into the eggs.

Here's an article that might help you for your next try.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coturnix-incubation-tips.76184/
 
Did you trust your incubator's readings? You should always have a calibrated thermometer or three inside the incubator.

Can you see anything when you candle? What day are you on? I would give them at least two more days if you can't see into the eggs.

Here's an article that might help you for your next try.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coturnix-incubation-tips.76184/
I have a calibrated thermometer inside as well. When I candled, the eggs I could see through looked viable. They're currently on day 19 so I'm thinking maybe the others are just late? Or I'm hoping.
 
I have a calibrated thermometer inside as well. When I candled, the eggs I could see through looked viable. They're currently on day 19 so I'm thinking maybe the others are just late? Or I'm hoping.
Look for movement, internal pips. If you hold it next to your ear and tap, you may hear tapping or chirping. Good 'uck!
 
:pophope they are just slow growers from the ups and downs and maybe first ones fast from heat spikes rooting for the babies
 
Look for movement, internal pips. If you hold it next to your ear and tap, you may hear tapping or chirping. Good 'uck!
I have awful hearing, is it possible to tell based on weight? I noticed that some are heavier than others. I did see movement from one, no external pips yet, however.
 
I have awful hearing, is it possible to tell based on weight? I noticed that some are heavier than others. I did see movement from one, no external pips yet, however.
Weight is a tough one. In my experience, heavier ones are more likely to be viable, but that's not certain. I have far better luck candling. It takes a while to get good at candling, but keep practicing.
 
Weight is a tough one. In my experience, heavier ones are more likely to be viable, but that's not certain. I have far better luck candling. It takes a while to get good at candling, but keep practicing.
Thank you!
I was going to candle but I thiiiiink I see some external pips so I don't want to open the incubator. Here's to hoping they are pips and not just my eyes playing tricks.
 

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