First hatch ever

[Kewe]

So we are new to both incubating and quail. We spent a lot of time researching both incubation and quail. We set up one pen for our breeders and are currently finishing our grow out pen.

We purchased 50 eggs from eBay as everywhere else we looked was sold out(assuming because of the current situation). Of the 50, 7 cracked in the mail so we set 43 eggs 7 days ago. We haven't opened the incubator at all, and so far humidity and temps seem good. My question is should we candle them? What is the benefit? My thinking is if I don't see anything I'm going to leave them in the incubator anyway to "see if anything happens" so wouldn't it be better to just not disturb them? Also what should a reasonable hatch rate be? The seller had lots of positive feedback, hence why we went with them.

Thanks.

 

[Rozza]

it is very hard to see any thing candling at eailer stages when basically full formed you will be able to see if they didn't develop at all
best of luck and have fun with the cutest pet possible

 

[Kale the Quail]

i just sit and wait for them to hatch. i don't candle. I don't think it's reliable or necessary.

 

[Kewe]

i just sit and wait for them to hatch. i don't candle. I don't think it's reliable or necessary.

This was my thought as well, but I am new so wasn't sure if that was the right approach.

 

[mdees88]

The only time I candle is at lockdown. This is so I can remove the infertile eggs so the chicks have more room in the incubator when they hatch. I hate watching the pippers and zippers getting knocked all around the incubator, though they will get knocked around a little bit anyway. Candling is very easy at lockdown, especially if you have a bright flashlight (1000 lumens).

Most people say 50% is a good hatch rate on shipped eggs. But if your incubator is squared away you should get better than that. I average 73% on total eggs set and 94% on viable eggs at lockdown. My worst hatch with shipped eggs was 65% total and 84% viable. That was also my very first hatch and it turns out my 50% humidity during incubation was way too high. I run 32% now and get better results...