When to force hatch coturnix quail

[gsagona91]

I’m on day 19 of incubation and can hear the quails chirping when I candled them today. I’m too new at this to notice any internal pipping. At what point does one need to force hatch coturnix quail eggs? Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What's your bator temp at?

If I can hear them, I leave them alone. I rarely assist Quail in hatching, if they can't make it out on their own, usually they are not strong enough to make it.
My 2¢


Now, some feel they must assist, if that's you, then read this thoroughly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

 

[gsagona91]

What's your bator temp at?

If I can hear them, I leave them alone. I rarely assist Quail in hatching, if they can't make it out on their own, usually they are not strong enough to make it.
My 2¢


Now, some feel they must assist, if that's you, then read this thoroughly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Thank you! The incubator is at 99.5

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have babies yet?

 

[Jrzebra]

I’m on day 19 of incubation and can hear the quails chirping when I candled them today. I’m too new at this to notice any internal pipping. At what point does one need to force hatch coturnix quail eggs? Thanks!

Hi, I've done a lot of assisted hatching now & I would not recommend it in quail, as I've not had good luck trying it. The smaller eggs are just so much more fragile than chicken eggs & the tiny chicks are more fragile too. If you can hear them that's a great sign. I would just be patient & make sure your humidity is good. I've found that putting a moist paper towel in the incubator right when they're due to hatch seems to help to get them jump-started by boosting humidity right at that time. Once they start hatching, they should all start popping out like popcorn; (I noticed that was a lot different than chicks, where some hatch quick & others take hours longer).
I've had some quail eggs go 21-22 days & I admit I start to get impatient & worried then; so if they go over 21, I'll poke a tiny air hole in the air cell area. That sometimes seems to help them get going w/pipping, as it weakens the shell, making it easier to pip. You have to be very careful not to crush the little eggs tho & I wouldn't poke an air hole any sooner, as it could dry out the membrane & that can cause shrink wrapping.