Hatching quail, beginner's lessons

[Dreamers Nook]

I figured I'm not the only person that prefers to research and read rather than ask questions. So I thought I'd put up my experience so others may not suffer such a bad beginning.
It all started with wanting to start my quail flock. I planned to get it established, being my chickens are a year, and ducks are almost a year. Then next year tackle incubating.

So I ordered 30 quail chicks from a hatchery I've used for chickens. I have very rarely lost any chicks in shipping from them. So something obviously happened, as almost half was DOA, and all but 12 within 12 hours. I was reimbursed, but too late in season for replacements.

So I rushed into getting the incubator I had decided to buy, and order 20 eggs from another hatchery, Meyer.

I should have gotten internal testers, but the seller of machine ensured me the machine was accurate. So, I did everything that was required for a wet hatch. The machines temp was fine but i couldn't keep humidity down.
2 out of 20 hatched. I did note that only 4 eggs that I could see candling (rest were too dark) were infertile, I didn't have the heart to open the eggs, which is my mistake. I figured it was the incubator, bought 2 testers and another batch of eggs. The incubator, I thought was running high on humidity was actually low. The sensor shows anywhere from 20 to 30 percent higher than setting and my sensors. I had to show this to the company, I did finally get reimbursed for it.
So, once I got it figured out, I did a dry hatch, the first part went smoothly, lock down a bit more complicated as I had to totally control humidity myself adding sponges. Well, only 3 this time hatched. I did check the eggs this time. Only 4 out of 20 were even fertile. So 3 out of 4 is a good hatch I believe. So yeah, I don't recommend Meyer for eggs. I couldn't find any information or ratings for their hatching eggs. I know they are well rated for chicks. But, almost $60 for 20 eggs with a 2 or 3 hatch rate is insanity.

Lessons learned;
1. Have other testers as people do warn to be sure machine is accurate and so you can compensate.

2. Check unhatched eggs to be sure, they are fertile, and as some have said in thos group you can see what issues may be.

I'm currently on batch 3 from another place, and expecting Christmas chicks. I'm praying this is successful as my last until next summer and only have 1 small flock of 6 hens and roo.

I hope this helps others avoid some of the mistakes I've had.

 

[Debbie292d]

I figured I'm not the only person that prefers to research and read rather than ask questions. So I thought I'd put up my experience so others may not suffer such a bad beginning.

We really don't mind, but yeah, when someone buys an incubator, then asks how it works, it does make one wonder.

Good job troubleshooting issues and putting down what you would change or learned from it.

We have about 8 different hygrometer/thermometers here as I have four incubators and two brooders and only one of those incubators is right. Govee is a good brand if you ever consider getting a new one.

 

[Dreamers Nook]

We really don't mind, but yeah, when someone buys an incubator, then asks how it works, it does make one wonder.

Good job troubleshooting issues and putting down what you would change or learned from it.

We have about 8 different hygrometer/thermometers here as I have four incubators and two brooders and only one of those incubators is right. Govee is a good brand if you ever consider getting a new one.

I'll definitely keep it in mind. I can't imagine running 4, one's enough. But I understand, especially with different species (chickens, ducks, quail). I definitely feel 2 meters are needed for accurate readings, so all bases are covered, persay.
I have 2 starter brooder and 2 main. But I've decided on one batch at a time, with everything else we do I get confused otherwise lol...part of the age thing too.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'll definitely keep it in mind. I can't imagine running 4, one's enough. But I understand, especially with different species (chickens, ducks, quail). I definitely feel 2 meters are needed for accurate readings, so all bases are covered, persay.
I have 2 starter brooder and 2 main. But I've decided on one batch at a time, with everything else we do I get confused otherwise lol...part of the age thing too.

I usually just use two though, when I'm doing staggered hatches. I set eggs every 5 - 6 days. When they're ready for lockdown, I move them to the other incubator all ready to go. When those hatch in a few days, I get them out, wipe with Odoban, put new rubber shelf liner in, and move the next batch over.

If I have one looking weak, I had to help out, or possible leg issues, they go in the third incubator set at 95F usually for 24 hours.

 

[Dreamers Nook]

I usually just use two though, when I'm doing staggered hatches. I set eggs every 5 - 6 days. When they're ready for lockdown, I move them to the other incubator all ready to go. When those hatch in a few days, I get them out, wipe with Odoban, put new rubber shelf liner in, and move the next batch over.

If I have one looking weak, I had to help out, or possible leg issues, they go in the third incubator set at 95F usually for 24 hours.

That makes sense totally. I'll definitely keep that in mind in the future, if I do more hatching. Using an extra incubator for weak hatches really makes sense, being older ones tend to run everyone over. Something to think about, thanks for your help and input, I appreciate it.

 

[TIckingThymeBomb]

I had a similar expierience my first time hatching quail. I went with whatever incubator was cheapest and the humidity read completely wrong, but I didn't find that out until it was too late. 1 out of 10 hatched but died only a few hours after hatch. Nothing wrong with the eggs as I tried a few weeks later with a friends incubator and eggs from the same seller and 15 out of 20 hatched.

 

[Dreamers Nook]

I had a similar expierience my first time hatching quail. I went with whatever incubator was cheapest and the humidity read completely wrong, but I didn't find that out until it was too late. 1 out of 10 hatched but died only a few hours after hatch. Nothing wrong with the eggs as I tried a few weeks later with a friends incubator and eggs from the same seller and 15 out of 20 hatched.

Yes, what I figured, but I didn't actually check all the first unhatched eggs, I did the 2nd. I didn't even have any red rings or etc. Completely infertile but the 4. 1 was almost full term, then the 3 that hatched, which are doing wonderful. So I honestly think we should check, as many here has said before, the progress sometimes tells us the issue of unhatched eggs. And obviously, there's not always an issue of infertile eggs, but that many? If anyone has input on Meyer's eggs, please comment. I'm just stating an honest evaluation. I myself don't want to risk using them again.

 

[farmer90]

I had similar experience. Started with quails this year and as a newbie I bought the smallest and cheapest incubator. Of course I did not trust it and added another temp and humidity reader into it. So far I've used it three times and my hatch rate has been each time about 30%, even with my own eggs.

Dissapointed, I tried to figure out what I was doing wrong. Fertility was not the issue, as the eggs had started developing but then given up at different stages. The temp has been near perfect as I could tell from both temp readers and from the fact that the chicks hatched on time. Maintaining humidity on right level all the time is a challenge with the little incubator, but I've managed to keep it between the recommended numbers. So what am I doing wrong?

I googled and hopefully found a possible solution from an article:

"It is important to note that for both automatic and manual turning, the egg must not be turned in the same direction every time. If this occurs, the chalaza will wind up and eventually break, which causes embryo death."

I had hatched three times and had no idea about that you could turn your eggs the wrong way? I always thought the more you turn them the better for the embryo. My egg turners move only one way and while rotating quail eggs they make multiple rounds before they stop.

To test my theory I have new batch in incubator that I turn manually. Hopefully I'll have better hatch rate on Christmas morning

 

[Dreamers Nook]

I had similar experience. Started with quails this year and as a newbie I bought the smallest and cheapest incubator. Of course I did not trust it and added another temp and humidity reader into it. So far I've used it three times and my hatch rate has been each time about 30%, even with my own eggs.

Dissapointed, I tried to figure out what I was doing wrong. Fertility was not the issue, as the eggs had started developing but then given up at different stages. The temp has been near perfect as I could tell from both temp readers and from the fact that the chicks hatched on time. Maintaining humidity on right level all the time is a challenge with the little incubator, but I've managed to keep it between the recommended numbers. So what am I doing wrong?

I googled and hopefully found a possible solution from an article:

"It is important to note that for both automatic and manual turning, the egg must not be turned in the same direction every time. If this occurs, the chalaza will wind up and eventually break, which causes embryo death."

I had hatched three times and had no idea about that you could turn your eggs the wrong way? I always thought the more you turn them the better for the embryo. My egg turners move only one way and while rotating quail eggs they make multiple rounds before they stop.

To test my theory I have new batch in incubator that I turn manually. Hopefully I'll have better hatch rate on Christmas morning

Let us know the results. I've got some of my own eggs as well as a new batch, so far an improvement, at least more fertile it appears. Like you, hopefully a better hatch Christmas. Good luck!!!

 

[farmer90]

Let us know the results. I've got some of my own eggs as well as a new batch, so far an improvement, at least more fertile it appears. Like you, hopefully a better hatch Christmas. Good luck!!!

24 eggs made it to the lockdown, 19 hatched, the last one is still in incubator but I'm afraid he/she won't make it (My fault, started opening up them too soon and noticed one was still alive and drew some blood)
So overall, my best hatch rate so far! I hand turned them twice a day. Half of the eggs were from local market to add some excitement. Had a surprise egg as well. My eggs were from manchurians(yellows with black stripes) the store bought chicks were darker(like little bumblebees) except one that was entirely yellow. Never had one like this before!
How did you do?