I use 17 days as the incubation period for coturnix, so I would move them the hatcher on the 14th day. My quail tend to hatch at the end of 17 days, so 18 could be more accurate, but it doesn't hurt to move them to the hatcher a day early.Today I was moving my quail eggs to the hatching tray in my incubator and I heard a chick peeping. Today is day 15, should I have put them in lockdown sooner?