Help hatching quail

[calcifer]

Hi I have read a few post on hatching Coturnix quail but they each seem to be a little different, this is my first hatching experience so please excuse stupid questions. I started my eggs at around 10 am on may 31 so I think today will be the 13th day, I have no illusion that I will have a high hatch rate this being my first time and will be happy if 5 out of 40 eggs hatch.
I have tried to keep the temp between 99.5 and 100.5 and humidity between 40-50%. ok so what do I do now? I know I am suppose to amp up the humidity and leave them alone for the next 4 days but other then that I have no clue. can anyone guide me through these last few days? here are the questions that first come to mind.

1. Will a cup of water in the corner and a wet sponge all 4 days?
2. Should I put cloth on the bottom of the incubator so there feet don't fall through the metal holes? if so wont that mess with the humidity?
3. What do I do if one egg hatches on day 16 and the rest don't intill day 18? should I put water and food in the incubator and/or quickly take the chick out after 12 hours and then wait for the rest?
4. if a chick makes a hole but doesn't seem to be able to get out should I help it after 24 hours?

thanks

 

[Gentry1350]

Hi I have read a few post on hatching Coturnix quail but they each seem to be a little different, this is my first hatching experience so please excuse stupid questions. I started my eggs at around 10 am on may 31 so I think today will be the 13th day, I have no illusion that I will have a high hatch rate this being my first time and  will be happy if 5  out of 40 eggs hatch.
I have tried to keep the temp between 99.5 and 100.5 and humidity between 40-50%. ok so what do I do now? I know I am suppose to amp up the humidity and leave them alone for the next 4 days but other then that I have no clue. can anyone guide me through these last few days? here are the questions that first come to mind.

1. Will a cup of water in the corner and a wet sponge all  4 days?
2. Should I put cloth on the bottom of the incubator so there feet don't fall through the metal holes? if so wont that mess with the humidity?
3. What do I do if one egg hatches on day 16 and the rest don't intill day 18? should I put water and food in the incubator and/or quickly take the chick out after 12 hours and then wait for the rest?
4. if a chick makes a hole but doesn't seem to be able to get out should I help it after 24 hours?

thanks

What kind of incubator are you using?

If it is a commercial table-top, it should have a multi-channel water tray in the bottom. Fill ALL the trays completely full with warm water. I have a fan in mine and the channels aren't enough, so last time I drilled a bunch of holes in the lid and stuffed rolled up paper towels in them and used an eye dropper to keep the paper towels moist with warm water (careful not to drench the eggs in water). That worked very well for me.

A lot of people line the wire with that rubbery shelf liner....couple of dollars at the dollar store. It helps with the wire situation, their feet can walk on it better and it has holes in it so it will not hinder humidity much. Or some people use paper towels. This also helps with clean-up.

Now the controversial questions....
Some people meddle and open their incubator to remove chicks, remove old shells, etc. Some will even mist their eggs with water or put a damp paper towel over them when they open the incubator saying it helps combat shrink-wrapping. There is only one true way to prevent shrink-wrapped chicks......DONT OPEN THE LID! Keep your humidity up and the lid shut. Most chicks will hatch in batches together and can safely stay in the incubator 24-36 hours without food or water.

Same with "helping". Some people swear by it and others say don't do it...especially for late eggs or those not strong enough to finish hatching on their own. Do your own research and decide what is best for you.

Hope that helps.....

 

[calcifer]

ok thanks for the advice! I have a little giant incubator with a fan . Aslo can it be to humid in the incubator?

 

[btguy]

Yes it can be too humid, you do not want condensation to form, if you worry about the babies being in too long you may sneak in some food but do not put in water, they can and will find a way to drown in it when they are newly hatched. ( my humidity water is below the wire floor where that cannot get to it) and while I can't speak for cotournix, with bobwhite it is best to put the incubator in the brooder before opening. Did I mention that they can run? Every which way? And are terrified of any movement? That was a fun day.

 

[calcifer]

Hmm ok thanks so much for all of your advice! I cant seem to get the humidity to go above 53% I have two sponges and all of the channels full. I found a way to get fresh water into the incubator sponges, I bought the incubator used and there are a few holes in the top so I put the sponges under the holes and pour water through a straw.

 

[Gentry1350]

Hmm ok thanks so much for all of your advice! I cant seem to get the humidity to go above 53% I have two sponges and all of the channels full. I found a way to get fresh water into the incubator sponges, I bought the incubator used and there are a few holes in the top so I put the sponges under the holes and  pour water through a straw.

Do you have condensation on the windows? Have you calibrated your hygrometer? They are usually WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY off.....!!

 

[calcifer]

There is no condensation and I am concerned, especially becuese I think a few of the eggs are moving on there own! I bought a $10 hydrometer from Lowes because I needed one fast, I tested it right before I put the eggs into the incubator and it read 74% in a bag with salt. I don't know how els to increase the humidity, should I put a 3ed sponge(not much room left) in? also what is the right humidity %?

 

[btguy]

I don't know what to say on calibrating the hygrometer but 70-75 is plenty, I don't raise mine that high until lockdown.

 

[calcifer]

I put it in lockdown yesterday afternoon.. today(sunday) will be day 14 out of 16-17.

 

[btguy]

Good luck. Fingers crossed for you!