Quail Hatch-a-long

[Justy0]

Okay morning of day 19 and still nothing but I'm trying to stay patient. Hopefully today will be the day...

 

[JaeG]

Okay morning of day 19 and still nothing but I'm trying to stay patient. Hopefully today will be the day...

I've had them take longer than the 18 days. Even with my Button hens setting they often take 18 days even in the height of summer (Buttons are supposed to hatch on day 16). You could remove an egg or three to candle and see if any have pipped internally - you'll see a little shadow beak in the air cell, or even just to see if the air cell has drawn down on one side (you may see the membrane pulsing a little where it meets the egg on one side - that's the chick attempting to pip internally). Just keep the egg in the same position - try not to turn it as the chick may get confused and try to re-position itself.

 

[Justy0]

I've had them take longer than the 18 days. Even with my Button hens setting they often take 18 days even in the height of summer (Buttons are supposed to hatch on day 16). You could remove an egg or three to candle and see if any have pipped internally - you'll see a little shadow beak in the air cell, or even just to see if the air cell has drawn down on one side (you may see the membrane pulsing a little where it meets the egg on one side - that's the chick attempting to pip internally). Just keep the egg in the same position - try not to turn it as the chick may get confused and try to re-position itself.

Okay. If none have pipped by tonight I may do that.

 

[Justy0]

I've had them take longer than the 18 days. Even with my Button hens setting they often take 18 days even in the height of summer (Buttons are supposed to hatch on day 16). You could remove an egg or three to candle and see if any have pipped internally - you'll see a little shadow beak in the air cell, or even just to see if the air cell has drawn down on one side (you may see the membrane pulsing a little where it meets the egg on one side - that's the chick attempting to pip internally). Just keep the egg in the same position - try not to turn it as the chick may get confused and try to re-position itself.

Okay so I tried candling and float tested a few. Some where hard to see through but a few I saw the air sell had drawn in, however I didn't notice any beaks poking out.
When I floated the ones that I felt comfortable had no cracks or pips, they did float but didn't really wiggle from what I could tell. Is this normal? All the videos of floating I've seen the eggs wiggle so much and maybe I had to high of expectations but now I'm worried that means they are dead... Is it common for living chicks not to wiggle in water?

 

[JaeG]

Okay so I tried candling and float tested a few. Some where hard to see through but a few I saw the air sell had drawn in, however I didn't notice any beaks poking out.
When I floated the ones that I felt comfortable had no cracks or pips, they did float but didn't really wiggle from what I could tell. Is this normal? All the videos of floating I've seen the eggs wiggle so much and maybe I had to high of expectations but now I'm worried that means they are dead... Is it common for living chicks not to wiggle in water?

Sorry I didn't see this - didn't come up in my alerts!

The float test is more to see how much of the air cell is above the water. They'll only wriggle if they don't like the change in pressure and the movement of the water can make it difficult to see. If some air cells have drawn down that's a good sign. Hopefully you'll see some action happening soon.

 

[Justy0]

Sorry I didn't see this - didn't come up in my alerts!

The float test is more to see how much of the air cell is above the water. They'll only wriggle if they don't like the change in pressure and the movement of the water can make it difficult to see. If some air cells have drawn down that's a good sign. Hopefully you'll see some action happening soon.

Oh good! Thank you for the response!

 

[feedman77]

Well it's about time.
My batch of cotournix eggs went into lockdown this morning.

About 140 had formation of the chick a few I candled before placement i saw movement in the membrane.

Should start hatching late Wed or Thursday.

Still have about 200 bobwhite eggs that are doing good should hatch next week.

 

[feedman77]

1 quail made early arrival.
Heard cheeping in incubator and an egg had a head popped out.

 

[JaeG]

1 quail made early arrival.
Heard cheeping in incubator and an egg had a head popped out.

Hopefully it'll have some friends soon. I had a Button hatch much earlier than the rest so I gave it a mirror for company. Once it had some friends I took the mirror out - you should've heard the protest! It was so funny - so I had to put the mirror back in. They did rather like looking at themselves.

Do you find they do just fine in such a big group in a brooder or do you split them into smaller batches to brood? That's a lot of babies! I think 28 is the most I've ever had at one time!

 

[JaeG]

Oh good! Thank you for the response!

Anything happening yet?