Hatching eggs - all at once or one by one?

[TheBirdLady2001]

My quail are staring to lay, yesterday I got 2 eggs and today I got one. I want to start throwing them in my bator. But I have a question, would it be better to save them until they are 7 days old, or can I collect them from out side, let them rest for a bit, and throw them in the incubator as I get them? ( My incubator holds 24 eggs ) ( and I know the hatch rate might not be great ) but it’s worth a shot!

 

[happyhens1972]

My quail are staring to lay, yesterday I got 2 eggs and today I got one. I want to start throwing them in my bator. But I have a question, would it be better to save them until they are 7 days old, or can I collect them from out side, let them rest for a bit, and throw them in the incubator as I get them? ( My incubator holds 24 eggs ) ( and I know the hatch rate might not be great ) but it’s worth a shot!

Definitely wait and put them all in at once otherwise you will have a VERY staggered hatch and that will reduce your likely hatch rate DRASTICALLY.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Definitely wait and put them all in at once otherwise you will have a VERY staggered hatch and that will reduce your likely hatch rate DRASTICALLY.

X2
Hens lay a clutch and then start incubation....this assures they all hatch at about the same time. In artificial incubation there comes a point called lockdown where you stopvturning the eggs and leave everything closed to maintain proper humidity for hatching. If your eggs are all at different stages this eould not be pisdible.

 

[TheBirdLady2001]

X2
Hens lay a clutch and then start incubation....this assures they all hatch at about the same time. In artificial incubation there comes a point called lockdown where you stopvturning the eggs and leave everything closed to maintain proper humidity for hatching. If your eggs are all at different stages this eould not be pisdible.

Definitely wait and put them all in at once otherwise you will have a VERY staggered hatch and that will reduce your likely hatch rate DRASTICALLY.

Thank you both for the quick reply! I’m just anxious to get the eggs in and have some chicks running around
But I agree, and I’ll wait to throw them in.

 

[happyhens1972]

Thank you both for the quick reply! I’m just anxious to get the eggs in and have some chicks running around
But I agree, and I’ll wait to throw them in.

If you're anxious for chicks, you need to give them the best chance of hatching for you....and that is by being just a little more patient and putting the eggs all in together. I know that feeling...we all understand the obsession....but give yourself and them a fighting chance eh?

 

[TheBirdLady2001]

If you're anxious for chicks, you need to give them the best chance of hatching for you....and that is by being just a little more patient and putting the eggs all in together. I know that feeling...we all understand the obsession....but give yourself and them a fighting chance eh?

Of course lol! Have you ever stored eggs? I’ve heard to store them at room temperature, small side down, for up to 7-10 days, but they lose fertility quickly after that. I was thinking of waiting about 5 or 6 days. Should I turn the eggs while I’m storing them?

 

[happyhens1972]

If you store your eggs in an open egg tray, you can tip them from one side to the other two or three times a day while they are in storage...i.e. put one of the long sides of the egg tray up on a block (I use a paperback book) and then put the block under the other side next time. They should be kept at a temperature of around 60 degrees, pointy end down and 5 or 6 days should be fine xx

 

[TheBirdLady2001]

If you store your eggs in an open egg tray, you can tip them from one side to the other two or three times a day while they are in storage...i.e. put one of the long sides of the egg tray up on a block (I use a paperback book) and then put the block under the other side next time. They should be kept at a temperature of around 60 degrees, pointy end down and 5 or 6 days should be fine xx

Thanks so much for the advice! I’ll post some pics when the little babes hatch

 

[happyhens1972]

Thanks so much for the advice! I’ll post some pics when the little babes hatch

Yes please! Never get sick of chick pics! Good luck xx