We're getting our first incubator today! Have a few questions... =)

[kimandrich]

Happy Easter and Good Morning

.
My boyfriend and I have some Quail that are laying between 4-7 eggs a day. We're pretty sure they're fertile because the males are always going after the females

. We've been putting the eggs in our fridge to eat because we haven't gotten an incubator, yet. Today, we'll be heading out to pick one up we found on CraigsList. We've never hatched eggs before, so of course we're nervous and want to find out everything before we start. So, here goes nothing! (Please be patient, we're new to this!)

-We heard that we can keep the eggs out for up to 7 days before putting them in an incubator, is that true?

-Also, I figured we'd collect the eggs starting today until about Thursday and put the eggs in the incubator Friday, is that how people normally do it?

-Once we put the eggs in the incubator and turn it on, can we add eggs a day or two later or do we have to wait until those are hatched to start another batch?

Thanks for your help! We may be posting more if we think of anything else we need to know.

Again, Happy easter!

 

[Jake1297]

I'll try and answer your questions.

With quail eggs I wouldn't store them for more than 7 days.

This is important. As soon as you get your incubator, clean it and get it working to make sure it gets and holds the correct temperature. At least four days.

You can place the eggs into the incubator Friday as long as it is working correctly.

Until you get used to hatching, I'd just go with what you start with, do not add any more. Other wise if they don't hatch you'll wonder if that was the reason.

One more thing:

Bobwhite Quail take 23 days to hatch, so lock down would be on day 20.

Cortunix Quail take 17-18 days to hatch and should be in lock down on day 14. I'd lock down at 14-1/2 days.

I have never hatched Quail but have been interested in it and these answers are from what I have read.

Good Luck

 

[kimandrich]

Great, thank you.

And, what is lock-down?

 

[storminstaffs]

Quote:
Lockdown is when you stop turning the eggs and you up the humidity according to the eggs your hatching and don't open the incubator at all

 

[kimandrich]

Thanks for your help! I'm sure we'll have more questions down the road