Incubating quail eggs for the first time : )

[James the Bald]

Not that this is a big issue (since it's done), but your chicks can stay in the incubator for up to 30 hours with no problems. Each time you open the incubator, it will let out some humidity and the membrane of the eggs that haven't pipped/hatched will "shrink wrap" the chick inside, killing it.

Also, Robbie at James Marie Farms has the best A&M eggs on the market that grow into nice size birds, and he garantees a 50% hatch. Just my opinion, but getting A&Ms from another source is like taking a step backwards and a big gamble that may not be worth the risk. I have ordered A&M eggs from another source, and they turned out to be similar to the English White in size and weight. The "other" A&Ms provide small eggs compared to the JMF quail I raised.
James

 

[nazredhens]

Thank You!

 

[txwaym1]

Looking you are doing good with first incubation. my son and i have about 50 eggs and they are starting to hatch. first batch i didn't do some things correct like keeping humidity at correct level and lockdown. there are a couple more peeping. we are excited. what are you using for your brooder? we are concerned about opening incubator because we have other eggs in incubator.

 

[LindsayB]

I'm using a Rubbermaid tote about 2 1/2 feet long for a brooder. My husband built me a huge wooden brooder but I'm saving that for when I start hatching my own eggs, hopefully from these and another batch of tuxedos I have incubating. I was nervous about opening the incubator during hatching but at one time I had three chicks out that didn't even start drying after 6 hours. They were soaked and the humidity shot up to 85. Lol I was freaking out. Next time I'll cut back on the sponges.....everyone that could make it out did though and I have 6 happy chicks! : )

 

[txwaym1]

mine began hatching yesterday and now over 18 have hatched, we have extra incubator that we are using as brooder for now. very excited. they have started eating

 

[LindsayB]

Yay! I couldn't get over how tiny they were, i was so used to regular chicks. I'm already obsessed with hatching eggs.....I have 24 tuxedos that I put in yesterday and 4 chicken eggs I'm incubating for my sister in law. What do you use your quail for? Meat, eggs or both?

 

[txwaym1]

we haven't decided what we will used them for, just so excited with eggs hatching. we bought about 20 quails a few months ago and they began laying and we put this batch in incubator and now wala we have new ones. what kind of incubator you using.

 

[LindsayB]

I have 2 little giant still airs. I really need to go and buy the fan kit but I'll wait until these are done.

 

[LindsayB]

My little babies are close to a week old and already have feathers coming in....I think they've doubled in size! And they hate me now...they're not friendly like chicken chicks...

 

[teradragon]

so cute! They grow really fast. More and more feathers each day