Dry vs. wet for quail incubation

[Birds4Eli]

Hello!

I’ve had good hatch rates with both wet and dry incubation for quail.
Does anyone have any ideas of what’s better?

Thanks!
-Elijah

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC! Not sure since I've never hatch quail.

 

[Birds4Eli]

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Birdmommalovesherfowls]

Hi Elijah!

It’s great that you’re having good hatch rates with both wet and dry incubation – that’s a solid start! The choice between wet and dry incubation can depend on a few factors, including humidity levels in your incubator, the species you're incubating, and personal preferences.

Personally, I prefer the dry method and have had higher success rates with it compared to the wet method.

Dry Incubation:​

• Pros: Some people prefer dry incubation because it helps control humidity more consistently. The idea is to let the eggs lose moisture naturally during incubation, leading to a higher hatch rate, especially if you live in an area with high humidity.
• Cons: You need to monitor the humidity levels more closely to make sure they don’t drop too low. This method may not work as well in more humid environments, where it might be harder for the eggs to lose moisture.

Wet Incubation:​

• Pros: Adding water helps maintain stable humidity levels, which is particularly important during the last days of incubation. This can help with the proper development of the chick and reduce the risk of shrink-wrapping.
• Cons: If not monitored properly, it can lead to high humidity, which can cause problems such as malpositioning or drowning. It’s more work to get the humidity balance just right.

Which is Better?​

It really comes down to your setup and what you feel works best in your conditions. If you’ve had great results with both methods, you might continue with what feels most comfortable, or even experiment by adjusting humidity levels to see if you can improve your hatch rates even further.

Feel free to share more about your setup or what you’ve observed, and I can help refine the approach if needed. Happy hatching!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and welcome to BYC. It's good to see you here in this poultry loving community. I only have chickens here.

 

[Birds4Eli]

Thanks, y’all.

I think I will go with dry, and also thanks for all the warm welcomes!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC and good luck for continued success with your incubation.

 

[Lovely Lettie]

Hello and welcome to BYC! It's great to have you here with us

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Elijah, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

I cannot help with your question. I only hatch under broody hens.