Incubating Coturnix Quail Eggs

[Coyotefur]

I'm hoping to get into Coturnix soon, working on the pen design right now, hopefully will start building it soon. Just found someone on craigslist that sells hatching eggs and will even hatch them if you want! I don't have an incubator yet, and at least if I did it that way I could be sure that I enjoy the birds before spending money on an incubator.

Anyone have any specifics on incubator brands and types that are easy for a beginner but won't break the bank, (I looked at brinseas... yeah, I could buy a car for what 2 incubators cost... maybe later, but not right now) looking in the less than $200 range.

Also, turners, I have seen that you are supposed to get special quail turners, can you buy any brand turner for any brand incubator or do they have to match? Do you even really need the quail size or can you put cotton balls around the eggs or something to keep them from tipping over in the regular turner? I'm thinking about having chickens too at some point so if I could get something that could do double duty that would be great if possible (yes, I know, keep chickens and quail away from each other, don't hatch them at the same time in the same incubator, feed and handle quail before chickens, etc)

For an incubator, ive found a old fridge works best. They are often ab 10 bucks at a junkyard or free on craigslist. You can buy a heat controller and heating elements for around 50$. Works great for controlling the temp. As far as the turners go, i would recommend quail rails for your turner. One turner with rails can hold 100 eggs. I guess it depends on how many laying hens you have. Hope this helps.

 

[RumAndCoconuts]

I'm hoping to get into Coturnix soon, working on the pen design right now, hopefully will start building it soon. Just found someone on craigslist that sells hatching eggs and will even hatch them if you want! I don't have an incubator yet, and at least if I did it that way I could be sure that I enjoy the birds before spending money on an incubator.

Anyone have any specifics on incubator brands and types that are easy for a beginner but won't break the bank, (I looked at brinseas... yeah, I could buy a car for what 2 incubators cost... maybe later, but not right now) looking in the less than $200 range.

Also, turners, I have seen that you are supposed to get special quail turners, can you buy any brand turner for any brand incubator or do they have to match? Do you even really need the quail size or can you put cotton balls around the eggs or something to keep them from tipping over in the regular turner? I'm thinking about having chickens too at some point so if I could get something that could do double duty that would be great if possible (yes, I know, keep chickens and quail away from each other, don't hatch them at the same time in the same incubator, feed and handle quail before chickens, etc)

I would highly recommend giving it a shot at building your own incubator. We built one of an old cooler. it was the type that had an opening in the top so we just put glass in that bit for a viewing window. We bought a thermostat on Amazon that keeps the temp within half a degree of accuracy and installed a fan from an old computer. The entire thing cost us $15 and the first time I incubated quail eggs I hatched 23 of 24 that I set. I can't think that a $200 incubator would give you as good results as that. There's loads of instructions on how to build one.
All i do for turning is put the eggs in a flat type egg carton (holds 30 chicken eggs) I have that sitting on half of an overturned pvc pipe. I tilt it from one side to the next, takes all of two seconds.
I do have the advantage that I live in a warm environment so don't have to worry about heat escaping, but it is done so quickly I can't imagine it would make much of a difference anywhere, however if it was an issue you could drill the PVC right through the side of the cooler and attach it to some sort of handle so you could turn it from the outside.

The $200 you save could build a great quail environment!

 

[kingmt]

I like the turners myself. I built my own then bought a turner only to find out it wouldn't fit so I suggest getting the Turner first of your going to build. Of also suggest one of the digital thermostats of eBay. Water heater ones work but not well.

ETA: For about $90 at TSC you could have both ready to go. Make sure you get the newer one that isn't on their site yet. It is digital.

 

[deviled]

Get a forced air incubator with two vents .and egg turner mine holds 52 quail and 20 chicken eggs.i have had 95% hatch rate and i only pd 45.00 for it.when hatching quail before you get to lock down date make sure you put down the rubber shelfing mats so their feet dosent go through screen.they can get splayed legs and broke ankles if you don't.once a quail gets splayed legs they never recover from it..

 

[deviled]

GOOD LUCK HAPPY HATCHING

 

[Grimster]

I just ordered 48 coturnix hatching eggs!! eBay guy had 100% positive feedback, and the price was pretty good, so I'm already happy!!

I ordered 100 from a guy with 0 feedback but his replies to my questions and facebook stalking him made me think he's on the up and up so hopefully I'll be the guy's first positive feedback!

 

[Grimster]

I ordered 100 from a guy with 0 feedback but his replies to my questions and facebook stalking him made me think he's on the up and up so hopefully I'll be the guy's first positive feedback!

35 successful hatched birds, due to my own incompetence in not showing them how to eat and drink, only 21 survived to a week old, the ones still with me are very energetic and curious birds that look real good. So no major complaints with my random ebay purchase.

 

[dc3085]

If you have to show chicks how to eat and drink, those chicks werent fit for the world anyway.

 

[Grimster]

If you have to show chicks how to eat and drink, those chicks werent fit for the world anyway.

Kinda my thoughts too, the 12 eggs that hatched into 9 nice birds I bought from a highly respected breeder, I lost one within a few hours of hatch, and one just keeled over a week later, guessing he bonked his head, because he was a good looking bird, did not require any help. Those eggs were considerably larger than any in the 100 eggs I got, hell the smallest of the 15 (I only had room for 12) was as big or bigger than the largest of the 100.

Quality in quality out I guess.

 

[RubyNala97]

I have 2 cortunix eggs on day 16. I only had 3 eggs to set and one didn't develop. I'm hoping they both hatch, so I don't end up with a solo chick. I ran 30-35% humidity days 1-15. Then upped it to 65%. Can I feed them medicated turkey starter, 28%??