Incubating Quail Eggs

[Ellaluvsbirds]

As you can probably tell from my previous threads I am a total newbie to Quail. I have one pair of Brown Coturnix Quail (believe me it was not supposed to turn out that way but most of them died) that have just started laying eggs. I read that coturnix quail don`t usually go broody. I was wondering if it would be better to put the eggs under a hen or to put them in an incubator? What are your opinions in either ways? Also, what would be a reasonable number of eggs to have in a clutch for both options?
Thanks,
Ella

 

[TwoCrows]

You will have much better luck using an incubator. Using a chicken hen can be unreliable, the eggs can get broken, and you really have no control over the situation. I would incubate at least 8 or 10 eggs. Generally some of them don't hatch for various reasons, but if you get a 50% or 60% hatch rate, you will end up with 5 or 7 birds.

 

[veggiecanner]

As you can probably tell from my previous threads I am a total newbie to Quail. I have one pair of Brown Coturnix Quail (believe me it was not supposed to turn out that way but most of them died) that have just started laying eggs. I read that coturnix quail don`t usually go broody. I was wondering if it would be better to put the eggs under a hen or to put them in an incubator? What are your opinions in either ways? Also, what would be a reasonable number of eggs to have in a clutch for both options?
Thanks,
Ella

Depends what you want them for, if there for eggs for you family to eat or for meat or for pets.

 

[James the Bald]

Some owners keep quail because they can't keep chickens.

Edited to add: I'd actually like to raise turkey, but there are too many restrictions on doing that where I live.

 

[deserthotwings]

As you can probably tell from my previous threads I am a total newbie to Quail. I have one pair of Brown Coturnix Quail (believe me it was not supposed to turn out that way but most of them died) that have just started laying eggs. I read that coturnix quail don`t usually go broody. I was wondering if it would be better to put the eggs under a hen or to put them in an incubator? What are your opinions in either ways? Also, what would be a reasonable number of eggs to have in a clutch for both options?
Thanks,
Ella

Unless you have a really small broody banty hen and a really secure pen to put her and the eggs in it is much better to use the bator. Hens are hard on tiny baby quail as well as the eggs. And once they do hatch they are off and running like little mice, escape artists and very hard to catch and control. Best to use the bator.