Raise your own backyard quail.
If you think ostrich or goose eggs are massive, you'll find quail eggs to be the exact opposite. Whether you're raising quail for fun or food, hatching fertile quail eggs in an incubator works as one of many ways to start your backyard quail flock. If you choose this route over buying quail chicks or adult quail, several general incubation tips can help you create the best environment for hatching. Does this Spark an idea?
Inspect the Eggs
Before you start incubating the quail eggs for hatching, inspect them. Each egg should appear uncracked and clean--toss out quail eggs that are dirty or broken--and not emit any odors. Dirty or cracked eggs may start to develop when incubated, but the dirty or broken surface may allow diseases and bacteria to enter through the shell and kill the chick.
Position the Incubator
To obtain the highest rate of hatching for your quail eggs, the incubator needs to maintain a constant, even temperature that doesn't fluctuate. For the best results, put the incubator in a quiet area that's not near windows, doors--the opening and closing of the door can create cold drafts--or heat sources.
Store for a Maximum of Seven Days
Sometimes, you'll come into possession of your fertile quail eggs before you're ready to hatch them. For the best results, never store the quail eggs for longer than seven days. After a week has passed, hatching success rates start to fall.
Get the Right Temperature
The proper temperature needed to successfully hatch the quail eggs depends on the kind of incubator you're using. For forced-air incubators--these devices have air fans that circulate the heated air--set the temperature to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Raise the temperature to 102 degrees F for still-air incubators.
Wait for the Proper Amount of Time
Japanese quail take approximately 18 days to hatch. Bobwhite quail take a bit longer--approximately 23 days. After this time, remove any unhatched eggs or else they'll start to rot. Keep in mind that even under the best incubating settings, only 50 to 75 percent of your fertile quail eggs will hatch.
Tags: quail eggs, fertile quail, fertile quail eggs, backyard quail, best results, days After