Target weight loss for quail?

[MarlyMonster]

Very true, I hadn’t even really thought about that but it makes sense since they’re so small.

So quail eggs are best to just pop in there and leave alone I suppose?

I also plan on incubating Muscovy eggs, wondering if I could just put them all in together

 

[igorsMistress]

I was able to see development in most of the quail eggs we hatched. The trick was a strong light that wasn't too big. I used a flashlight but have a candler now. It makes a big difference for me anyway.

My issue was more that I'm a newbie at hatching and wasn't sure how on track they were.

 

[007Sean]

Very true, I hadn’t even really thought about that but it makes sense since they’re so small.

So quail eggs are best to just pop in there and leave alone I suppose?

I also plan on incubating Muscovy eggs, wondering if I could just put them all in together

Quail and Muscovy's have different incubation times. Different incubation humidity requirements. I wouldn't reccomend trying a dual incubation of different species, unless you have vast experience and success in incubating practices of the various species.

 

[MarlyMonster]

I was able to see development in most of the quail eggs we hatched. The trick was a strong light that wasn't too big. I used a flashlight but have a candler now. It makes a big difference for me anyway.

My issue was more that I'm a newbie at hatching and wasn't sure how on track they were.

Yes was thinking of getting a candler, I used my phone light before when trying to candle a fairy egg.

I’ve never hatched anything before either so I’m paranoid I’ll mess it up

 

[MarlyMonster]

Quail and Muscovy's have different incubation times. Different incubation humidity requirements. I wouldn't reccomend trying a dual incubation of different species, unless you have vast experience and success in incubating practices of the various species.

I’ve been researching humidity levels for both and so far it seems both are best done as a dry incubation for my area since it’s fairly humid, that’s the only reason I was thinking I could do it together. Been trying to find a second incubator though since I’ve never hatched anything before and I’m afraid of messing it up

 

[007Sean]

I can't remember all who raise Muscovies on here but do a search...sure you'll find some experienced hatchers of Muscovys.
I do know it would be best to have 2 incubators, though!

 

[Erkenstein]

People have differing opinions about humidity. Birds on their nests aren't "dry-hatching," and the heating element in an incubator makes things desert dry. As a beginner, I'd go with basic humidity. I'm a little lower than some people (40% and 50-55%) but definitely not going to dry hatch. Two problems I don't want to deal with is a cramped egg (too much air) and shrink wrapping when they pip.

Before you set any eggs, I suggest you get the incubator running and experiment with the humidity. One way I can tell that things are right (for me) is that during lockdown there is just a wisp of condensation on the viewing window. In my styro incubator, that means the #1 and #2 channels filled, a wet sponge in the incubator, and one of the red plugs removed (ventilation during the hatch is important). If you can get that happening and then take a humidity reading, that will give you a target for the hatch. I suggest you take it down 10-15% for the 14 days of incubation, which for me means the #1 channel filled only and one plug hole half-covered.

No personal experience (yet!), but muscovy eggs are reported to be hard to hatch in an incubator, probably because it is such a long incubation and it's hard to keep things exactly right the whole time. I'm planning to let my girls brood eggs in spring. On the other hand, quail eggs are very forgiving, so best for you to start with those IMO.

 

[MarlyMonster]

I can't remember all who raise Muscovies on here but do a search...sure you'll find some experienced hatchers of Muscovys.
I do know it would be best to have 2 incubators, though!

I’m in touch with a very nice lady about muscovies so I’ve got that side of things covered thankfully, since apparently they’re fairly difficult to hatch.
Everyone is so nice on this site and so helpful, I’m so glad I joined

 

[MarlyMonster]

People have differing opinions about humidity. Birds on their nests aren't "dry-hatching," and the heating element in an incubator makes things desert dry. As a beginner, I'd go with basic humidity. I'm a little lower than some people (40% and 50-55%) but definitely not going to dry hatch. Two problems I don't want to deal with is a cramped egg (too much air) and shrink wrapping when they pip.

Before you set any eggs, I suggest you get the incubator running and experiment with the humidity. One way I can tell that things are right (for me) is that during lockdown there is just a wisp of condensation on the viewing window. In my styro incubator, that means the #1 and #2 channels filled, a wet sponge in the incubator, and one of the red plugs removed (ventilation during the hatch is important). If you can get that happening and then take a humidity reading, that will give you a target for the hatch. I suggest you take it down 10-15% for the 14 days of incubation, which for me means the #1 channel filled only and one plug hole half-covered.

No personal experience (yet!), but muscovy eggs are reported to be hard to hatch in an incubator, probably because it is such a long incubation and it's hard to keep things exactly right the whole time. I'm planning to let my girls brood eggs in spring. On the other hand, quail eggs are very forgiving, so best for you to start with those IMO.

Yes I’ve read a lot of different opinions on hatching humidity, especially with Muscovy ducks. Some people say high humidity yet the “experts” on here seem to say low humidity and add misting and cooling. At least for those eggs I’ve found a guide for weight loss and air cell size that I can go by for the humidity levels. That’s why I was trying to find something similar for quails, but it makes sense like someone else said before that they’re too small to really get an accurate weight read.
My humidity gauge is on its way so I’ll definitely take your suggestion and play with it a little! And to prevent shrink wrapping I read to up the humidity at lockdown so I’m gonna make myself a chart so I stay on track. So nervous yet so excited at the same time!!

I really appreciate your insight, this helps a lot!

For my twin study I need to experiment with as many eggs as I can, hence why I’m also doing ducks, since the only two hatcheries near me (2 hours away but oh well ) that said they get frequent double yolkers for me are a Muscovy hatchery and a quail hatchery. I’d prefer chickens to try first but that’s just not available unfortunately. I’m gonna give it my all though and do the best I can with the little birds!

 

[007Sean]

Yes I’ve read a lot of different opinions on hatching humidity, especially with Muscovy ducks. Some people say high humidity yet the “experts” on here seem to say low humidity and add misting and cooling. At least for those eggs I’ve found a guide for weight loss and air cell size that I can go by for the humidity levels. That’s why I was trying to find something similar for quails, but it makes sense like someone else said before that they’re too small to really get an accurate weight read.
My humidity gauge is on its way so I’ll definitely take your suggestion and play with it a little! And to prevent shrink wrapping I read to up the humidity at lockdown so I’m gonna make myself a chart so I stay on track. So nervous yet so excited at the same time!!

I really appreciate your insight, this helps a lot!

For my twin study I need to experiment with as many eggs as I can, hence why I’m also doing ducks, since the only two hatcheries near me (2 hours away but oh well ) that said they get frequent double yolkers for me are a Muscovy hatchery and a quail hatchery. I’d prefer chickens to try first but that’s just not available unfortunately. I’m gonna give it my all though and do the best I can with the little birds!

When you get your hygrometer, you will need to perform a salt test calibration on it, so you'll know what % the humidity is in the bator. Excuse me if you already know this!