Help!!! what went wrong quails

[Kazzla]

Hello,

I hope someone could help me, I tried to hatch quail eggs, I had 2 that looked like they was a baby quail inside when candled, it got to day 20 nothing was happening so candled again to see if I could see movement I couldn’t so decided to break open the eggs, 1st egg was just full of blood the 2nd egg had a formed head & eye but nothing else, it was upsetting but I don’t understand what I could have done wrong?

 

[Nabiki]

It could be a lot of things. You only mention two fertile eggs, so it could be a problem with fertility, the parents' genetics, or the parents' health.

I would look closer at the incubating conditions, though. Did you have calibrated thermometers inside the incubator? A calibrated hygrometer? Never trust the readings of the incubator itself.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coturnix-incubation-tips.76184/

 

[Kazzla]

Thanks for getting back to me, I did trust my incubator to be honest I had it set at 37.5 c I never did the Humidity if am honest, I watched a guy on you tube with same incubator & sort of followed him, the eggs I got was from eBay I got 6 one was cracked so didn’t bother with that one, but just couldn’t understand why a head could form but nothing else

 

[Nabiki]

Thanks for getting back to me, I did trust my incubator to be honest I had it set at 37.5 c I never did the Humidity if am honest, I watched a guy on you tube with same incubator & sort of followed him, the eggs I got was from eBay I got 6 one was cracked so didn’t bother with that one, but just couldn’t understand why a head could form but nothing else

The rest of it was probably softer materials that degenerated back to goo. If you choose to try again, read that article I posted the link for. It might be helpful. I hope it's helpful, since I wrote it, at least!

 

[Kazzla]

Thankyou very much , I am going to try again, I’ve bought new incubator one that turns eggs so I don’t after & have new batch arriving this week, quick question last lot that came by post I left them 8hrs before incubation is that enough or should I leave them longer?

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

If you can get your hatching eggs locally, you'll be much happier with the hatch rate.

 

[Nabiki]

Thankyou very much , I am going to try again, I’ve bought new incubator one that turns eggs so I don’t after & have new batch arriving this week, quick question last lot that came by post I left them 8hrs before incubation is that enough or should I leave them longer?

I don't let mine sit that long. I have the incubator up and running when they arrive and I put them in almost immediately. I know they say to rest them for a while, but I don't think I have since my first hatch.

 

[Kazzla]

If you can get your hatching eggs locally, you'll be much happier with the hatch rate.

Unfortunately I can’t it’s all chickens & ducks where I live

 

[Kazzla]

I don't let mine sit that long. I have the incubator up and running when they arrive and I put them in almost immediately. I know they say to rest them for a while, but I don't think I have since my first hatch.

Awe thanks for that information I’ll follow you on that then, do you mind if I say in contact with you through this process, I so want this to happen

 

[Nabiki]

Awe thanks for that information I’ll follow you on that then, do you mind if I say in contact with you through this process, I so want this to happen

Of course. I'm always learning myself, but I'm happy to pass along what I've learned so far.