Day 42 The Incubator

Since these quail will not hatch their own eggs any longer we must hatch them. You can use an incubator or find a broody bantam hen (small chicken).

To get started with your quail you don't have to get an incubator right away if you have someone in your area that sales chicks. I suggest starting this way because incubators can be pricey. Mine was $180.00 but I bought it after I already had some chicks from a local producer.

 

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/incuview-egg-incubator.html

 

 

 

I bought this one because it has digital thermometer, humidity gauge, fan for moving air and an automatic egg turner. Basically it is set it and forget it for 17 days.

 

 

The eggs need to be turned 3 times per day. If you don't have an automatic turner you have to do it.

 

This incubator holds a steady 99.6 degrees. I have not used any other incubators but have friends that have used different brands and steady temperature has been a problem.

 

This incubator holds 50 quail eggs.

 

Process for hatching:

 

     Collect 50 eggs that are less than 7 days old

     Turn incubator on a couple of hours before placing eggs.

     Put eggs in and make sure turner is on.

     After 14 days turn turner off, add water to bring humidity up.

     Chicks start hatching from day 16 to 18.

     Let chicks dry before moving to brooder

 

You should get 40 - 60% hatch rate.

 

 

WARNING!!!!!

Once you have an incubator hatching is addicting.

My incubator has not been off for almost a year now.

 

 

 

 

 



 

Day 41 Coturnix Quail

This is a coturnix quail. They are full grown at 8 weeks. Start laying eggs at 8 weeks vs a chicken which starts at around 20 weeks.

They will not sit on their eggs for hatching so you have to use an incubator or find someone that has chicks for sale.

Each hen will lay about 300 eggs per year.

Tomorrow we will talk about incubators.

Rooster on the left, hen on the right.

Day 11

Quail hatching today.  Started with 50 eggs in the incubator.  We candled then at day 14 to see how many were fertile.  We had 34 that were good.  First one hatched at 16 days 9 hours.  So far we have 15 that have hatched and one just about out of shell.  Most all will hatch by day 18.

The quail start laying eggs at 7 to 8 weeks old vs a chicken that starts laying at around 20 weeks.

To me quail are a great addition to a homestead due to small foot print and great egg and meat production.  For example:  We are on a third of an acre lot in a subdivision and have over 100 quail.  I need to put 40 roosters in the smoker or freezer.  Last night I got 39 eggs which equals about 8 chicken eggs. 

Quail tractor.

 

 



Quail in incubator.

 



Quail in brooder.