Quail Hatch - Egg Carton Vs Reg method - Amazing results - UPDATE

[rubyv67]

Hi! I'm starting out slow and very simple. Ordered a Chick-bator w/4 bobwhite eggs. (I homeschool). Didn't know the low hatch rate,etc. Any feedback on the 'bator, how to's, useful info. The incubator should arrive in the next few days. Thank you in advance. The people on this forum are beautiful.

 

[monarc23]

I tried the carton method twice and had crappy results, HOWEVVERRRRRRR I dont think it was that i used the carton that was the problem i think it was my incubator....but because of my experiences im afraid to try them again would like to but i skurd! LOL!

 

[cloudswinger]

I did my hatch in egg trays and got 18 out of 44 to hatch. BUT one chick got stuck under one of the trays and was wedged on its side for a while. So I had to help it learn to use its legs, since it had been laying with its legs straight back. I don't think it was in there like that for long, so it managed to recover fairly quickly.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I use egg cartons/trays to hatch all the time and have had eggcellent results with chickens. Last chicken hatch I did was 100%; the hatches before I tried the cartons were much less. Quail seem to be trickier than chickens and I haven't had very good results either way. I have quail eggs in now due to hatch tomorrow/Friday and those are in the trays. I also have button quail in there too but those I layed on their sides. Trays don't work as well for buttons because the eggs are so small. The downside is they get kicked around and then the hatch is even worse.

When hatching chickens, I will ONLY use the egg cartons. Everything else is up in the air for me; we'll see how this hatch goes.

 

[Mrs MIA]

The only time I don't use the cartons is when I hatch buttons... they are small enough (and dumb enough) to crawl under the cartons, get stuck, and squash themselves to death.

But Bobwhites and coturnix do GREAT in the cartons, especially if you space them out a little bit.

 

[Irajoe]

I'd be most grateful if someone using the egg carton method in a little giant incubator could describe the turning process. I'm imagining elevating one side of the carton with a wedge of wood. Then, moving that wedge to the other side to complete a turn. Then back to the original side for the next turn....correct? I do not have a an auto turner.

Thanks for the help! I'm new to this!

 

[Mrs MIA]

There really isn't enough space to do it in an LG... sorry. An auto-turner is your best bet for the LG.

 

[Irajoe]

I appreciate the reply...disappointing news.

Do you know...did I have the idea correct with the wooden wedges?

 

[Mrs MIA]

Oh, sorry...

Yes, you are correct. Prop one end up, then the other, and repeat... But you need to raise the end of the carton up at least an inch, better yet two inches, and there just isn't enough headspace in an LG.

 

[Irajoe]

Got it - thanks!