How to Hatch Quail Eggs
Quail are small game birds raised for consumption and eggs. Popular varieties include the Bobwhite quail and the Japanese quail. Whatever the type you wish to raise, you can start your own backyard flock by buying adult quail or hatching fertile quail eggs. The latter option is cheaper and allows you to bond with the baby quail for a tamer, calmer flock of birds.
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Instructions
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Plug a forced air incubator directly into a reliable power outlet. Avoid using an extension cord, as this may cause energy fluctuations that may shut off the incubator and kill your quail eggs.
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Fill the incubator's water well with fresh water. Set the internal temperature to 99.5 F with a relative humidity percentage of 60. Watch the incubator's internal thermometer and humidity meter. It may take two to three hours for the incubator to reach the desired temperature and humidity.
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Place the fertile quail eggs into the incubator, positioned horizontally.
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Turn the quail eggs 180 degrees on their side every five to six hours. This prevents the developing quail embryo from growing against the inside of the egg shell and sticking to it, resulting in death to the baby quail.
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Adjust the temperature and humidity during the last two days of incubation before the eggs are supposed to hatch. During this time, decrease the temperature to 98.5 F and increase the relative humidity to 70 percent. It takes 16 to 24 days for fertile quail eggs to hatch, depending on your individual species. Bobwhite and Valley quail take up to 24 and 23 days, respectively; Japanese quail take up to 18 days; and the tiny Button quail take up to 16 days.
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Watch the quail eggs hatch. Once the eggs are hatched, open the incubator's side ventilation holes to help the chicks dry off.
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Tips & Warnings
Quail eggs can be sourced from a local breeder or farm store, or from an online specialty hatchery.
While you may be tempted to help the baby quail break out of their shells, this can kill them. Allow the birds to struggle on their own.
