You want to hatch quail eggs and do well. A quail egg incubator helps you get more chicks. You get better results if you use eggs from your own flock. Based on common extension guidance and our experience at EggBloom, eggs from a stable home flock typically hatch at 85–90% (and can reach ~95% in ideal conditions). Local fresh eggs average 70–80%, while shipped eggs often yield 40–60%.
| Source of Eggs | Average Hatch Rate |
|---|---|
| Own quail stable flock | 85–90% (up to ~95% in ideal conditions) |
| Local eggs | 70–80% |
| Shipped eggs | 40–60% |
EggBloom’s team gives you helpful tips. They make hatching eggs easier for beginners. The process can be fun and very achievable.
Key Takeaways
- Choose high-quality quail eggs from your own flock for the best hatch rates. Home-flock eggs often outperform shipped eggs.
- Maintain a steady incubator temperature of 37.5°C / 99.5°F and humidity of 45–55% for Days 1–14; increase to 65–75% for Days 15–17 (sometimes Day 18 for late hatches).
- Turn the eggs at least 3–5 times per day (roughly every 4–6 hours), alternating orientation to prevent embryos from sticking.
- Candle the eggs on Day 7 to check development; remove clears or early quitters.
- Prepare a safe, warm brooder for chicks; move them 24–36 hours after hatching, once dry and active.
Preparation
Egg Selection
Picking good eggs is very important. Choose smooth, crack-free shells, similar size/shape/weight, under 7 days old, from healthy, unstressed quail.
Cleaning Equipment
- Use a gentle, manufacturer-safe disinfectant after each hatch cycle.
- Check and fill water in humidity pans routinely.
- Clean waterers more often in warm weather; consider a brief dilute-bleach soak, then rinse and air-dry.
- Keep spare parts (water trays, liners) to swap quickly.
Quail Egg Incubator Setup
- Set the temperature to 37.5°C / 99.5°F and humidity to 45–55%.
- Turn eggs at least 3–5×/day (~every 4–6 hours). Automatic turners are ideal; manual turning should alternate sides for a total of ~180° daily.
- Verify with independent thermometer/hygrometer and ensure consistent airflow.
Incubation Basics
Temperature and Humidity
Keep temperature and humidity steady. Standard targets:
| Factor | Recommended Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 37.5°C / 99.5°F |
| Humidity (Days 1–14) | 45–55% |
| Humidity (Days 15–17, sometimes 18) | 65–75% |
Tip: Stability is king—small, frequent checks prevent big swings.
Turning Eggs
- Turn eggs 3–5×/day (~every 4–6 hours) for even development.
- Mark shells (e.g., “X” and “O”) to track sides; be gentle.
- Stop turning at the start of lockdown (Day 14).
Candling
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare tools and a dark room. |
| 2 | Handle eggs gently; work quickly. |
| 3 | Shine a bright light through the large end (air cell). |
| 4 | Look for veins, a dark embryo, and a defined air cell. |
| 5 | Return eggs promptly; log observations. |
Clear eggs are likely infertile; blood rings indicate early death.
Species Differences
| Quail Species | Incubation Period | Temperature (°C/°F) | Humidity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coturnix Quail | 17 days (sometimes 18) | 37.5 / 99.5 | 45–55% early; 65–75% lockdown |
| Bobwhite Quail | ~23 days | 37.5 / 99.5 | 45–55% early; 65–75% lockdown |
| Other Quail Species | Varies | 37.5 / 99.5 | Varies (follow breeder guidance) |
Daily Incubation Checklist
Day 1: Setup and Start
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Set incubator to 37.5°C / 99.5°F | Avoid drops below 37.2°C / 99°F | Wrong temp calibration |
| Set humidity to 45–55% | Don’t start too humid | Forgetting to verify hygrometer |
| Place eggs pointy-end down | Handle gently; pre-warm eggs to room temp | Shaking or chilling eggs |
| Start a daily temp/humidity log | Use a reliable thermometer & hygrometer | No data tracking |
| Check airflow and location | Keep away from windows/vents/heat sources | Blocking vents |
Day 2–6: Turning and Monitoring
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Turn eggs 3–5×/day (~every 4–6h) | Wash hands before handling | Skipping turns |
| Maintain 37.5°C / 99.5°F | Prevent spikes/dips | No daily verification |
| Keep humidity ~45–55% | Add water if it dips | Letting pans run dry |
| Ensure good ventilation | Don’t block vents | Poor airflow/condensation |
Day 7: Candling and Assessment
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Candle in a dark room | Work gently and quickly | Leaving eggs out too long |
| Look for veins/embryo/air cell | Use a bright light | Using a weak flashlight |
| Cull clears/quitters | When unsure, recheck in 2–3 days | Discarding borderline eggs too early |
| Log results | Note smells/leaks | No tracking |
Day 8–13: Continued Care
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Continue turning 3–5×/day | Be gentle | Missed turns |
| Maintain 37.5°C / 99.5°F | Watch for outages | No equipment checks |
| Keep humidity 45–55% | Top up as needed | Dry trays |
| Monitor odors/leaks | Remove rotten eggs | Ignoring signs of rot |
Day 14: Lockdown
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Remove egg turner; stop turning | Handle minimally | Turning after lockdown |
| Raise humidity to 65–75% | Add warm water to trays | Not increasing humidity |
| Hold temp at 37.5°C / 99.5°F | Avoid opening incubator | Frequent opening (humidity crash) |
| Add a non-slip liner | Use shelf liner/paper towel | Slippery surfaces |
| Prepare the brooder | Heat source & bedding ready | Late brooder setup |
Humidity fine-tuning: If you see signs of shrink-wrapping (dry, tight membranes), gently raise humidity within 65–75% or briefly to ~80%. If chicks look overly wet with little progress, slightly lower humidity toward the bottom of the range.
Day 15–17: Hatching and Brooding
| Operation Points | Cautions | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Watch for pipping/zip/hatch | Do not assist unless medically necessary | Opening incubator too soon |
| Hold humidity at 65–75% | Top up carefully if needed | Letting humidity crash |
| Keep incubator closed | Wait until a batch has finished | Removing chicks too early |
| Move chicks after 24–36h when dry | Warm, draft-free brooder | Cold brooder transfer |
| Provide feed & water | Use pebbles in water dish to prevent drowning | No demonstration dip |
Managing Quail Egg Incubation Issues
Adjusting for Fluctuations
- Target 45–55% humidity through Day 14; 65–75% during lockdown (Day 15–17, sometimes 18).
- Check with an independent thermometer/hygrometer twice daily.
- Place incubator away from windows/vents/sunlight; ensure steady room temperature.
Power Outages
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Brief outage | Keep incubator closed; cover with towels/blanket to retain heat. |
| Prolonged outage | Use a generator, battery backup, or warm packs (not touching eggs) to maintain temp. |
| Prevention | Plan backup power and rehearse setup. |
Real-Life Tips
- Keep a simple daily log (time, temp, humidity, actions).
- Wash hands before handling; be gentle and consistent.
- Use additional water surface area (sponges/trays) to stabilize humidity.
Post-Hatch Care
Moving Chicks
Move only when most chicks are hatched, dry, and active (about 24–36 hours). Handle gently and transfer quickly to a warm brooder.
Brooder Setup
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Easy-to-clean, draft-free | Smooth surfaces and good airflow without drafts reduce disease risk. |
| Stable heat source | Target ~95°F (35°C) for Week 1; reduce ~5°F weekly. |
| Flooring | Solid floor with absorbent bedding (paper towel, pine shavings) for first 1–2 weeks. Raised wire only when chicks are older and steady on feet. |
| Water/Feed safety | Shallow waterers with marbles/pebbles; fine crumble starter feed. |
First Feed and Water
- Provide clean water and high-quality gamebird/chick starter.
- Dip each chick’s beak to teach drinking; refresh water daily.
- Let chicks warm up before heavy feeding.
Health Checks
Check daily during the first week. Keep the brooder at ~95°F and lower by ~5°F weekly. Watch for pasty vent, dehydration (sunken eyes, lethargy), and leg issues.
Downloadable Checklist: Replace this sample link with your actual PDF — Download the full 17-Day Quail Egg Incubation Checklist (PDF)
FAQ
How often should you turn quail eggs in the incubator?
At least 3–5 times per day (every 4–6 hours). Automatic turners help; stop turning at lockdown (Day 14).
What temperature is best for quail eggs in the incubator?
Set to 37.5°C / 99.5°F and verify with an independent thermometer.
How do you know if quail eggs are fertile during incubation?
Candle on Day 7. Look for veins and a dark embryo; clears are likely infertile. Recheck borderline eggs in 2–3 days.
When should you move quail chicks from the incubator to the brooder?
When they are dry and active, typically 24–36 hours after hatch.
What humidity level works best for quail eggs in the incubator?
45–55% for Days 1–14; 65–75% for lockdown (Days 15–17, sometimes 18). Fine-tune within range based on shell weight loss and hatch progress.
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