First Time Hatching!

[ButtonBag]

Hi everyone! I've been using this forum a lot to research button quail ahead of my first time trying to hatch and raise them, so thought I'd finally make an account.

I currently have 7 shipped eggs resting and ready to go in the incubator tomorrow, super excited but nervous about messing up. I'm hoping for a ~50% hatch rate as my partner and I live in a flat in the outskirts of London, so only have room for 3 or 4 birds to live happily.

As for me, I'm a UX/UI designer who enjoys embroidery, bouldering and cycle touring — I once packed up a tent and rode solo from the UK to Slovenia and can't wait to get out on a long trip again. I guess I'll mention that I'm a woman too as everyone online seems to assume otherwise!

 

[Kiki]

Hi everyone! I've been using this forum a lot to research button quail ahead of my first time trying to hatch and raise them, so thought I'd finally make an account.

I currently have 7 shipped eggs resting and ready to go in the incubator tomorrow, super excited but nervous about messing up. I'm hoping for a ~50% hatch rate as my partner and I live in a flat in the outskirts of London, so only have room for 3 or 4 birds to live happily.

As for me, I'm a UX/UI designer who enjoys embroidery, bouldering and cycle touring — I once packed up a tent and rode solo from the UK to Slovenia and can't wait to get out on a long trip again. I guess I'll mention that I'm a woman too as everyone online seems to assume otherwise!

Welcome!
I hatch quail.
Do you have a calibrated thermometer or three in your incubator?

 

[ButtonBag]

Thanks! I did actually calibrate a thermometer today and am expecting a (hopefully more accurate) one to arrive tomorrow to compare.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC. Thank you for joining the flock. Some user names make it difficult to guess member's gender. If so I just Welcome them.

 

[Kiki]

Thanks! I did actually calibrate a thermometer today and am expecting a (hopefully more accurate) one to arrive tomorrow to compare.

Never trust an uncalibrated thermometer.

Do you have a humidity gauge?


I do not let eggs rest after being shipped before I set them.
I believe the quicker they go in the bator the better.



Why are you letting your eggs rest?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to BYC KiKi gave you great help there

 

[ButtonBag]

That's interesting, I had read that after they come through the post it's better to leave them for up to 24 hours so it's not a temperature shock going straight in, and the air bubbles have time to settle (though that could be bad info?).

They're currently in the bathroom as it's the coolest part of the flat but still probably about 23C/70F. I do have a hygrometer that's currently hanging out doing a salt test (and showing 75% which is pretty good news!). I haven't tested for hot and cold spots but have taped the thermometer probe right above where the eggs will be.

I haven't hatched anything before, no, so here for all the advice I can get.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck with the incubation.

 

[ButtonBag]

Thank you for all the warm welcomes!