Day 16 of incubation

[PacificPuff]

My first time of trying to hatch baby chicks. I think what I got are Coturnix quail eggs. I candled them in the past few days and saw 3 out of 15 are obviusly infertile: translucent throughout with nothing growing inside; the remaining 12 all have black part and thranslucent air sac part, I also think I saw blood veins in some of them.

Now it’s day 16, nothing is happening, no moving, rocking, no nothing.

My anxiety goes to roof, I float test them, but all are low floaters, INCLUDING the 3 infertile ones. I am so confused, how does the float test work? And more importantly, should I be worry because all the eggs remain still, no movement at all?

 

[dpenning]

My first time of trying to hatch baby chicks. I think what I got are Coturnix quail eggs. I candled them in the past few days and saw 3 out of 15 are obviusly infertile: translucent throughout with nothing growing inside; the remaining 12 all have black part and thranslucent air sac part, I also think I saw blood veins in some of them.

Now it’s day 16, nothing is happening, no moving, rocking, no nothing.

My anxiety goes to roof, I float test them, but all are low floaters, INCLUDING the 3 infertile ones. I am so confused, how does the float test work? And more importantly, should I be worry because all the eggs remain still, no movement at all?

I wouldn't mess with them for a few more days, the temps could be a little low, make sure your humidity is up. Sometimes it just take a little longer.

 

[PacificPuff]

I wouldn't mess with them for a few more days, the temps could be a little low, make sure your humidity is up. Sometimes it just take a little longer.

Thanks. Do they always rock/move before they hatch? Unless my thermometers are not accurate, the temperature has been pretty consistant at 100, the humidity has been between 40 and 60......so worried...

 

[dpenning]

I never see mine move. I had one batch I thought were duds only to hear cheeping what I thought was a day late. Waiting is the hardest part and there is nothing else you can do!

 

[PacificPuff]

I never see mine move. I had one batch I thought were duds only to hear cheeping what I thought was a day late. Waiting is the hardest part and there is nothing else you can do!

Thanks! That’s so encouraging.

 

[JaeG]

18 days is generally when Coturnix hatch. Button quail hatch at around 16 days. They are just estimates though and a slightly low incubation temperature can delay them a bit. If the majority of eggs are full and dark I think you'll get some chicks.

Sometimes you can hear the chicks tapping away inside if you put the fat end to your ear, but be careful not to turn the egg too much as the chicks get into position to hatch and a change in how the egg is lying can cause them to try and move into position again which can cause them to get stuck or pip at the wrong end. The air cell will also become bigger and slanted when the chicks are preparing to pip internally.

The float test should only be done on very overdue eggs to check for signs of life.

I've only once caught my eggs moving before hatch. I know how hard it is to wait though, wondering if anything is going to hatch. It's even worse when you can see they have pipped and they leave you hanging for the full 24 hours before proceeding! Good luck!

 

[PacificPuff]

Yeah!!! Two of then hatched! Both are white colored and one has tiny black spots on the top of head.

 

[PacificPuff]

How long should I wait before moving them to the brooder? I sprinkled some starter and they are eating already!

 

[dpenning]

Cute! I would wait to see if more pop out, certainly till they are dry. You don’t want to be in and out of the gator during hatch. They will be fine in therefor several hours. Maybe move all that are dry just before bedtime.

Congrats M,

 

[PacificPuff]

Cute! I would wait to see if more pop out, certainly till they are dry. You don’t want to be in and out of the gator during hatch. They will be fine in therefor several hours. Maybe move all that are dry just before bedtime.

Congrats M,

THANKS! soooo happy now.