Bobwhite Quail Incubator Instructions
The bobwhite quail is a small ground bird with variegated brown feathering. The feeding and movement is similar to that of a small chicken. The bird is found in flocks or coveys in the wild and is seen foraging in fields, brush and verges. Incubator brooding is widely practiced, and successful hatches are possible using mechanical means.
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Instructions
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Check that the incubator is working properly. Prepare the birds for breeding by using game bird conditioner feed. Add mealworms to the diet for protein. Select only unbroken, clean and normal shaped eggs. Do not wash eggs.
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Incubate the eggs in a heated or climate controlled room. Set the incubator temperature for 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit for forced air models. Control humidity carefully by insuring it is a reliable 65 percent with a raise in humidity during the last few days to 70 or 75 percent. Turn the eggs at least twice a day. Mark one end of the egg with a pencil to assist in this process.
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Candle the eggs after the first week to see if any eggs are not fertile, or if the chick has died. Begin preparing for the hatch at 21 days; quail typically hatch at day 23. Stop turning the eggs at this time.
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Set up a brooding area with chick starter feed, a chick waterer and a heat lamp, set at around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Use nonslip flooring such as a towel or paper towels for the first week. Lower the heat by a few degrees after the first week. Always check for chick comfort levels. Chicks huddling away from the heater are too hot, and chicks huddling under the heat lamp are too cold. Chicks standing and peeping may need assistance. Content chicks wander and eat.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn eggs daily and store at room temperature. Do not brood under a large breed or standard hen as they are too heavy to carefully tend the tiny quail chicks. Some quail breeders use broody bantam breeds, especially silkies, to hatch the eggs. Use nonslip flooring for the first week after hatching, or the tiny chicks could fall and become injured.
Temperature and humidity levels are crucial to a successful hatch. Always start with a sterilized incubator to avoid fungal and disease issues. Be sure the food size is small enough for the tiny babies to eat. Use proper watering bowls as small chicks will drown easily. Chilling and manure pasting are serious issues. Immediately raise the heat and carefully clean the manure from the back of the chick with a warm wet towel.
References
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