Need help with quail eggs

[Duck_Lover]

Someone I know was selling a bunch of scrap metal and under one of the motors they found a 11 California Valley Quail eggs. Since they knew that I had a incubator that I am not using they called me to come get the eggs. I want to release the quail back on the peoples land if they hatch. I have never incubated eggs before so I need as much information as I can get.

Thanks

 

[Fat Daddy]

Well First off, Good to meet ya! Im Bill. I'd be sure its legal in your state to even have "wild" eggs. Most states insist on let'n wild life die before you touch it or help. But If your gonna try and hatch'em, we can help. First set up your bator for 99.5 if its got a fan in it, "forced air"... get it stable before you set eggs. If there was a hen sitting these eggs and they've been cool very long, you dont much time.... need to get on it! If your use'n a foam bator fill your water ring in the bottom. Valley quail should incubate for 23 days total. But, you have no way of know'n how far along in the hatch the hen was when the eggs were found. so best bet is get'em in the bator, run the turner if you have one, Till day 20 or you see the first pip, which ever comes first! then turn the turner off or quit turning by hand and up the humidity as high as you can get it,,,, When the window fogs up your just right! Now warm up that bator! but if its not legal in your state to have wild birds or their eggs. I would'nt talk much about it!!! Hypothetical questions are your friend....

Bill

 

[cva34]

Well First off, Good to meet ya! Im Bill. I'd be sure its legal in your state to even have "wild" eggs. Most states insist on let'n wild life die before you touch it or help. But If your gonna try and hatch'em, we can help. First set up your bator for 99.5 if its got a fan in it, "forced air"... get it stable before you set eggs. If there was a hen sitting these eggs and they've been cool very long, you dont much time.... need to get on it! If your use'n a foam bator fill your water ring in the bottom. Valley quail should incubate for 23 days total. But, you have no way of know'n how far along in the hatch the hen was when the eggs were found. so best bet is get'em in the bator, run the turner if you have one, Till day 20 or you see the first pip, which ever comes first! then turn the turner off or quit turning by hand and up the humidity as high as you can get it,,,, When the window fogs up your just right! Now warm up that bator! but if its not legal in your state to have wild birds or their eggs. I would'nt talk much about it!!! Hypothetical questions are your friend....

Bill

Yea your probably right .In most states its even Against the law to disturb Game Bird nest...cva34

 

[Duck_Lover]

Thank you for the great information. I'll check to see if it is legal to have them here. I have the hova bator with out the fan or a turner. I candled the eggs and all I saw was a pink blob so I am guessing that the eggs are under a week old or infertile.

 

[Fat Daddy]

I would bet they are\were fertile. If cell division has started your time frame is short thou... For the still air bator, your looking for a temp of 101.5 on top of the eggs. Make a "x "on one side of the eggs with a pencil. put a "O" on the other side. Turn them from "x" to "o" thrice a day if possible... good luck, Bill

 

[Duck_Lover]

I bumped the temp up to 101.5 and marked the eggs.