Day 5 - some hatching questions

[craynerd]

Hi guys, was hoping for some help. I'm on day 5 keeping my quails in a homemade incubator,

, it has no humidity control so I filled the little cup with water at day 3 and believe I should keep this topped up now until the end. The thermostat keeps a constant 37 deg.

The eggs are on their side and get rolled 3 times a day. I will stop rolling them at day 13.

Are the eggs ok in their side for hatching?

Can anyone tell me what I should put on the floor of the incubator at day 13 ready for hatching?

I'm also confused as to when to go in for the chicks when they have hatched...I've read and seen lots of posts but don't seem to understand the answer. So let's says some hatch at day 16, when do I take those out if others have not hatched? I presume they will need taking out without much delay as they will need food and water in the brooder (which I am setting up).

Any help and advice welcome..

 

[Fat Daddy]

Your incubator looks good. But I didnt see any vent holes for air. If there is not one, you need it!....I like the humidity tray set up as well. You didnt say what quail you are hatching but I assume coturnix from the time line you state. I would lock down on day 14 or 15 instead of 13, but you'll likely be fine either way. Your eggs will be fine hatching on their side just as you have incubated them. Thou I prefer to hatch everything in a upright position, in cartons. I get a better hatch rate with eggs up right. As to what to put under them I like a rubber shelf liner like this,

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/camco--slip-stop-shelf-liner--P005973078

It gives chicks no skid footing and will nearly eliminate "splay leg" completely..... I would recommend you run water in your tray till day 14, topping it up as needed. Then drop a new clean sponge into it so it wicks water up and exposes the wet sponge to the air. your humidity will go up and the water will evaporate a bit faster.... Allow all chicks to hatch before you open the lid if possible.... They will be ok for 24 hrs or so but I like to get game birds to water as soon as I can. If you must open the lid for any reason, spritz the bator inside with warm water from a spray bottle. Eggs and all. This will raise the humidity back fast. For the most part they will hatch within hrs of each other. A few early and a few late. The foot problems will be more common the later the they go. Good luck, Bill

 

[craynerd]

Eeeekkkkkk what size vent holes, where and how many??

 

[Fat Daddy]

I'd go with two. One on each side of the eggs. About mid way up and start with about 10mm holes.... This will cause your light to cycle a bit more often and the water to evaporate faster too. But it's absolutely nessasary for any bator to have fresh air.... Don't feel alone, they are over looked by many.... Good luck.