Egg and Florida heat question

[yellowherb]

I have buttons and coturnix quail laying eggs. The buttons are pretty much right on the dot each day when they lay but the coturnix lay wily nilly. I am out there several times a day and in the evening looking for eggs.

Question is, with florida temps being high 90's most of the afternoon, will the eggs already be incubating before I get to them? My buttons are producing so many eggs, I'd like to sell some but do not want to sell bad hatching eggs to anyone.
Thanks.

 

[GitaBooks]

I don't have quail, but I understand just what you mean. My chickens will sometimes be on the nest in the evening, some in the morning, and some in between. Because of this, I usually collect eggs in the evening, before I put them away.
Even in high temperatures the eggs shouldn't truly begin to incubate, though we have found some eggs that have started. Eggs are meant to be able to get warm for a while without beginning, since their mother will sit on them to lay a second egg.

I hope it all works out! Good luck.