Incubation takes FOREVER!

[Bettacreek]

So, I've been working with quail for awhile now. They hatch at 16 to 18 days. I never got into bobwhite quail because they take 21 days to hatch, then forever and a half to hit maturity. Now, somehow, I'm in the duck world, and they take 28 days to hatch and two forevers to hit maturity. How do you guys do it?! I don't know what I'm going to do if I ever do get muscovies. Probably go insane waiting for eggs to hatch! I have 19 mixed duck eggs in the incubator, due May 12th, and it's killing me. I'm just now getting ready to put 14 cayugas into the incubator. Ducks take FOREVER!

 

[bock]

I know what you mean.

Just hold on for a little longer, and you might try educating your self more on ducks during the wait. Congrats!

 

[Bettacreek]

I do have some ducklings to tide me over, thankfully. I'm learning from these guys, and now know that I do NOT want to brood another batch of ducklings in a solid floored brooder! I need to get around and get cages built and build a brooder for future ducklings, with a wire bottom, because sloshing through muck, because they spilled the water is disgusting. They're so neat though! Their feet are just too cute, and I keep wanting to pick them up just to play with their feet, lol. I have been doing a lot of reading on ducks though, I'm big into research.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I hear you! I regularly incubate both chicken and duck (and turkey too!) and the chicken seem to take no time at all compared to the ducks & turkeys. Just that one extra week can feel like an extra month!!!

 

[MagsC]

Thats true!! The time for the quail or chickens flies by and then I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for the ducks to hatch....

 

[vlapinta]

How long do quail take to get to maturity? I am askinga about the larger quai, not the button quaill?

Vicki

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
Bobwhites I think take as long as chickens or ducks (about 20 weeks), but I could be wrong. I just know that it takes forever compared to coturnix and button. Coturnix and button quail take about 5-8 weeks, though the coturnix are more likely to start earlier.

 

[lovesduckies]

Quote:
try incubating muscovies.. 35 days. i am starting to go insane.. i still have till NEXT weekend.

 

[tia]

It is hard to wait. I have some that are due around the 9th or 10th...... just can't wait. I checked them today and they were moving around in there. I think my students are having an easier time waiting than me.... what's up with that???