Day 21 only one quail :(

[AllyCat32]

Hi friends,

New to incubating/hatching! We purchased a dozen coturnix quail from a local breeder. Placed them in the incubator, and on day 19 we welcomed one plucky little guy. He is doing well.

Sadly, none of the other eggs have shown much. We are on day 21. I feel I can faintly hear pecking. One egg had some pipping a few days ago but no other movement. I’m worried none of the others will hatch. I’m not sure if I’m candling correctly. When I put them in up against the incubator light or my phone flashlight I don’t see anything, just an opaque egg. I will keep checking them and keep the incubator going but I’m losing hope.

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there,
What model of incubator? What temperature and humidity did you run and did you calibrate the sensors to make sure they're correct? How often do you candle? Turning?
Have the eggs always been opaque or is that new?

 

[SmiYa0126]

If the egg is fully opaque then the chick internally pipped. Can you make a safety home using a push pin? Do it slowly and only as deep as the shell.

 

[AllyCat32]

Hi there,
What model of incubator? What temperature and humidity did you run and did you calibrate the sensors to make sure they're correct? How often do you candle? Turning?
Have the eggs always been opaque or is that new?

An incubator from Amazon (now realize it’s prob not a great one) Kept the temp 99.5/100, humidity was harder to control, it was around 40-50. I didn’t know I had to calibrate the digital controls on the incubator, but I put in a separate small digital thermometer and it was comparable? I only candled a about four days ago, before the first one hatched. I wasn’t sure how to do it correctly. I turned 2-3 times a day.

 

[007Sean]

If the eggs are on day 21, not likely they are going to hatch. If you can post a pic while your candling them, we can determine the situation a little better.

 

[nuthatched]

An incubator from Amazon (now realize it’s prob not a great one) Kept the temp 99.5/100, humidity was harder to control, it was around 40-50. I didn’t know I had to calibrate the digital controls on the incubator, but I put in a separate small digital thermometer and it was comparable? I only candled a about four days ago, before the first one hatched. I wasn’t sure how to do it correctly. I turned 2-3 times a day.

Hmm, candling every few days helps monitor the growth and tell if they're bad and rotting. Turning is good, the extra thermometer is a great idea.
Is it possible for you to get pictures of the candling?

 

[AllyCat32]

If the eggs are on day 21, not likely they are going to hatch. If you can post a pic while your candling them, we can determine the situation a little better.

What do i do with my lone quail? He is all by himself. I gave him a stuffed soft duck to cuddle with. I feel terrible.

 

[007Sean]

An incubator from Amazon (now realize it’s prob not a great one) Kept the temp 99.5/100, humidity was harder to control, it was around 40-50. I didn’t know I had to calibrate the digital controls on the incubator, but I put in a separate small digital thermometer and it was comparable? I only candled a about four days ago, before the first one hatched. I wasn’t sure how to do it correctly. I turned 2-3 times a day.

Never, ever trust the instruments sensors. Most are inherently inaccurate. Need several independent, calibrated thermometers and calibrated hygromer(s).

 

[007Sean]

What do i do with my lone quail? He is all by himself. I gave him a stuffed soft duck to cuddle with. I feel terrible.

If you can check on Craigslist or any other advertising site, and try to find some chicks for sale, if not, it won't die from being the only one but will not be happy without other birds around it....it will imprint on you, if it doesn't have other birds with it.

 

[AllyCat32]

Hmm, candling every few days helps monitor the growth and tell if they're bad and rotting. Turning is good, the extra thermometer is a great idea.
Is it possible for you to get pictures of the candling?

these aren’t great…