Hatching quail eggs

[Sara White]

So I'm new to this site and am new to owning quails. I just bought 40 eggs and a still air incubator w/o the egg turner as I didn't have the extra money. My questions are.... how often do I need to turn them, what temp should it be at (the paper inside said w/o the egg turner keep at 103.5), and what is the ideal humidity level?

 

[JaeG]

About 40% humidity for the first 15 days then increased to around 65%. Temperature should be 100F for forced air (one with a fan), 102F for still air. You'll need to turn the eggs 2-3 times a day but you can put them small side down in cartons with a little something under one side to enable you to tilt the whole carton one way, then the other, if you have the space. Saves a bit of time. There's a forum specifically for quail if you look down the forum main page. Ask any questions you need answers to and there's always someone happy to help.

 

[Pyxis]

Goodness, that temperature is way too high. That's half a degree off from 104, which is the temperate at which eggs die if they heat up to it inside.

If you have a still air, the temp should be 101.5 measured at the top of the egg. Forced air, 99.5 measured anywhere.

For turning, at least three times a day, more is better, and always an odd number.

 

[Sara White]

So I should turn the heat down? Cause I have it at 103.5 and the humidity is at about 52%? How can I raise the humidity when I need to? It's filled with water now, I can't add any more. Is the humidity fine at 52%?

 

[Sara White]

It's a still air incubator. Name brand is Little Giant 9300. Tell me exactly what levels it should be at now and when to change it please

 

[Pyxis]

Yes, you need to turn the heat down. Hopefully they are still fine. Turn it down to 101.5 degrees measured at the top of the egg. And don't trust the built in thermometer on it, verify with your own outside thermometer because there's a good chance the built in one is wrong.

When you need to raise the humidity, you can add an extra jar of water or some wet paper towels or sponges.

Your humidity is maybe a little high, too. I know where I am that would be too high for me. I'd bring it down to 40% or so and see what that does for you. Then of course raise it at lockdown.

 

[JaeG]

I'm glad Pyxis could be more specific about temperature. I work in Celsius so am easily confused!

You may have to remove the water from your well and just use a small container or cup for the first part. That's what I ended up doing.

 

[Sara White]

How do I remove any water with all the eggs on the plastic thing over the water? There's 50 eggs in it.

 

[JaeG]

Taking them out and popping them on a towel for the time it will take you to either tip out or dry up the water won't affect the eggs and they'll get turned in the process. If they don't lose enough moisture the air cell won't be big enough and there won't be enough air in the air cell to keep the chick alive between internal and external pip. Eggs are pretty tough and take quite awhile to cool down enough to kill the embryo so take your time, don't feel you have to rush (if you are rushing you are more likely to drop one so just go slow). I hope you hatch lots of chicks - they are very cute babies and they grow so amazingly fast.

 

[Sara White]

Yes, you need to turn the heat down. Hopefully they are still fine. Turn it down to 101.5 degrees measured at the top of the egg. And don't trust the built in thermometer on it, verify with your own outside thermometer because there's a good chance the built in one is wrong.

When you need to raise the humidity, you can add an extra jar of water or some wet paper towels or sponges.

Your humidity is maybe a little high, too. I know where I am that would be too high for me. I'd bring it down to 40% or so and see what that does for you. Then of course raise it at lockdown.[/QUO