Easiest eggs to incubate?

[CountryFried]

Discovered my incubator still works 8 years after I bought it (never used it, would have sworn it was a Hovabator but it’s a Brower THI30), and am thinking about hatching some eggs around Mother’s Day. (Have our best friend’s kiddos coming for a few days, we all homeschool, and they recently started their homestead adventure while we are re-starting ours!)

What are the easiest eggs to hatch for a newbie? I will have to have the fertile eggs shipped.

I’m open to quail, ducks, chickens, geese, whatever. (Not interested in pheasant particularly)

Thanks for any suggestions. If we hatch some, thinking I’ll send some babies home with the kiddos and we will keep some.

 

[JaeG]

Coturnix quail eggs are very forgiving and the babies are so docile and sweet. I vote for them!

 

[Cyprus]

Guineas. Literally broke one and still hatched it.

 

[CountryFried]

Coturnix quail eggs are very forgiving and the babies are so docile and sweet. I vote for them!

Quail is definitely at the top of my list. Are they easy to candle?

Guineas. Literally broke one and still hatched it.

Guineas are also at the top of my list, not because I’ve read they’re easy but because I want some. Unfortunately it seems guineas aren’t really laying yet so I wouldn’t be able to have them in time to hatch that week.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

If you want the kids to be able to watch development by candling, eggs that are white or cream colored are amazing.

 

[CountryFried]

If you want the kids to be able to watch development by candling, eggs that are white or cream colored are amazing.

Only my kiddo would be here for that, unfortunately. I’m aiming for lockdown on Saturday or Sunday of Mother’s Day weekend.

 

[JaeG]

Quail is definitely at the top of my list. Are they easy to candle?

You do need a strong light and a very dark room (or cupboard) to see what's going on with the Coturnix, mostly because of all the spots.

Here's a great guide: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coturnix-quail-egg-candling-guide.71783/