Coturnix Tibetan Quail S.O.S.

[dotyt11]

I am doing a life cycle science lesson in my class. I received my 18 eggs back on the 7th of April, Incubation started on the 8th. I am at Day 20 and have put them on lock down with one starting to hatch on Monday. I only have 1 hatching! Out of the 18. I am new to hatching and have followed the directions. Some of the eggs when they roll go to a "heavy" side. Will these other eggs hatch? My fellow teacher said if you put them to the ear you can hear them, I cannot. Also the chick(?) that has been hatching since Monday Morning is still hatching. I have been looking for information about temp and humidity during lock down but cant find any.

 

[Hayduke27]

There's a lot of good info here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore

 

[Hayduke27]

From what I know of it as a guy new to quail incubation, heat should be 99.5 the whole time. Depending on what method you use, humidity can vary, but general guidelines are 40% until lockdown (typically day 15 or 16) and then raise to 60%+ until hatch day (typically day 18).

 

[Hayduke27]

What kind of incubator are you using? Does it have a fan? Did you use a hygrometer? Did you calibrate your thermometer?

 

[dotyt11]

I am using the ones from Tractor supply (still air) I have the humidity bumped up. The one since Monday finally hatched, but no others seem to be showing signs of hatching. Could I be able to hear them in the egg?

 

[Hayduke27]

I'm new to hatching quail, and I'm not sure. Baby chickens you can hear loud and clear, but I just don't know if quail chicks make noise or not. I'd say if one is hatching, you'll know if the others will or won't in the next 48 hours. Don't open the incubator too much, you want to keep that humidity high for the end of the hatch. Good luck!

 

[dotyt11]

I Talked to a farmer,bc I am worried I'll only have 1 hatchling I only have 4/18 eggs left to possibly hatch. And they are not showing good signs. But the farmer said I could put quail and chicks together so it's socialized. Is this so?

 

[Hayduke27]

Yes and no. At a young age they will all be so small that I don't think you have to worry about it getting picked on, but keep an eye on it as it will be the smallest! I've ready about some diseases that chickens carry immunity to being harmful to quail, so some people don't keep them together. I have kept my quail in a pen near the chickens and haven't had any issues yet, but it's something to consider. Finally, as they age, quail have excellent flying ability and will have to be in an enclosed area or they will fly away.