Incubating quail eggs

[quailss]

I am just wondering if I can have the humidity for hatching japanese quail eggs at around 20% and only add water into the incubator in last 3 days of hatching to 60%.

 

[FenDruadin]

It really depends on your specific situation. I always dry hatch, which for me means I add NO water until lockdown. This works well for me, because I live in a humid area at sea level and use a Hovabator... depending on your ambient humidity, altitude, and specific incubator, you may need different conditions.

However, for a first hatch, I always recommend that you just try something--whatever makes sense to you--and keep records. In particular, measure the air cell growth, because that is what the humidity is for. You want the air cell to fill between 1/4 and 1/3 of the egg at hatch time. If it is too small, run your humidity lower next time. Too large, run it higher next time.

You can measure the air cell at each candling (for me, I candle every five days on coturnix quail) and if it looks like it's not developing properly, you can go ahead and raise or lower humidity accordingly for a better hatch. Meanwhile, make a record of air cell growth and humidity, and adjust your next hatch accordingly.

Good luck! Hatching is fun, and quail are my favorite because they zip and pop so fast and they're SOOOO cute!

 

[swheat]

I also dry hatch and would not do it any other way now, but I am also in the south so it is very humid here. Just my opinion, if my humidity got to down 20% (this might dry the eggs out too fast)I would add some water. I like mine around 38-48 range which it usually is without adding water, then at lock down I add HOT water but this is my experience and works for me, may not work for you.

 

[MobyQuail]

couple dependent variables?

are they your eggs or shipped?

how long have they been sitting since collection?

I like the idea stated about losing a certain amount of mass, I understand eggs must lose close to ~15% of mass before hatch, so depending on your variables will lead you to your answer. I have weighed eggs prior to setting and at lockdown.

imho, shipped eggs, depending on what they are shipped in and when they are shipped may lose mass in transit...

best of luck... I do dry incubate, around 30-40% then bump it up to 60%+ at hatch, and agree, hot water (100' f) is very good idea if adding water.

 

[7L Farm]

Until lockdown I go 30 to 40 & then 60 for lockdown.

 

[JJMR794]

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