Need help/advice on quail eggs I’m trying to hatch

[Alexisbship]

This is the first time at trying to hatch quail eggs and I have only 6 that are in a homemade incubator that I made out of a styrofoam cooler but have done a lot of research and have done everything possible for the environment to be right!
Today is day 15 so I’m going into lockdown. I have read some articles saying leave the eggs large side up so the peep can get air from the air cell then I have read to lay the eggs on their side because it’s easier for them to hatch that way so would love to hear what method everyone uses. Also I know I have one or two that I don’t think were ever fertile and one or two that I believe were quitters at different times then a few that I feel might possibly hatch butone or two of the developing eggs might be a later hatch. I have candled then a lot trying to see the various stages but due to the shells and brown patches in them I have not been able to see any veins or other small characteristics. The ones that are solid except a very pronounced air cell look like pictures of eggs that are close to hatching but I have not been able to see any movement AT ALL which worries me. Are they viable if not moving inside the egg or wiggling? Please let me know your thoughts and opinions... thanks!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Good read here ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hatching-quail-eggs-and-brooding-quail-chicks.67362/

I always hatch my quail on their sides in the incubator. Never had a problem with them that way. Plus with them being so small they don’t fit right in regular egg cartons. My quail egg cartons are plastic so I wouldn’t fancy hatching them out of those in the incubator.

Sometimes quail eggs are hard to candle so any I’m not sure of I just leave in there and hope they hatch. Ones I’ve not seen movement in can and do hatch so there is a chance yours will too. At this late stage you can only go in to lockdown and give them a chance.
Good luck

 

[Alexisbship]

Good read here ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hatching-quail-eggs-and-brooding-quail-chicks.67362/

I always hatch my quail on their sides in the incubator. Never had a problem with them that way. Plus with them being so small they don’t fit right in regular egg cartons. My quail egg cartons are plastic so I wouldn’t fancy hatching them out of those in the incubator.
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Sometimes quail eggs are hard to candle so any I’m not sure of I just leave in there and hope they hatch. Ones I’ve not seen movement in can and do hatch so there is a chance yours will too. At this late stage you can only go in to lockdown and give them a chance.
Good luck

 

[Alexisbship]

Thank you! Do you ever see your peeps moving inside the egg or the egg itself wiggle? I also have a question about the float test, some things I read said that the bad eggs floated and some said the bad eggs sunk lol so not sure. Examples of the reasons were that if they were fertile and developing they would be heavier so they should sink, some said with the well defined air cell that they should float! I had some of each but as the days passed they all floated other than one

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

As the egg gets fuller as the embryo develops more I find it harder to see movement in the egg. But yes I have seen the actual eggs wiggle & wobble nearer the end of the incubation period. This is from the chick getting into the correct position for hatching.

I’m afraid I don’t ever or ever have float tested eggs. I’m a hands off Hatcher and let nature take its course. I candle minimally and leave any I’m not fully sure on in there.

 

[Alexisbship]

Thanks so much for your help!! I’m trying to learn everything I can!