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Did any of the others hatch successfully?
Quail chicks
- Thread starter LB81
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- 8,130
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- Hampshire, U.K.
It’s almost always a mistake, in the long run, to intervene, especially with such tiny little bumblebee-sized chicks. If they can’t hatch by themselves, there is a reason for it that you can’t fix. Even if you do try to help them out, they’re likely to be too weak to get up on their legs properly, and if they can’t do this very soon after hatching their legs will most probably never ‘set’ at the right angle and they will be permanently lame. This well-known condition is called ‘spraddled leg’.
It’s very hard to stand back and watch them in distress, I know, but every time you open the incubator you let out the heat and humidity they need if they’re going to have any chance of hatching and drying off safely. Let’s hope the other two will make it. What’s the humidity level ATM? How are they doing now? Do they have a textured surface to hatch on, eg a cotton cloth lining, not a smooth plastic one?
It’s very hard to stand back and watch them in distress, I know, but every time you open the incubator you let out the heat and humidity they need if they’re going to have any chance of hatching and drying off safely. Let’s hope the other two will make it. What’s the humidity level ATM? How are they doing now? Do they have a textured surface to hatch on, eg a cotton cloth lining, not a smooth plastic one?
- Messages
- 8,130
- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
Oh dear, sad news, I’m so sorry to hear that. What’s happened this morning? Any others out?
45% humidity is a bit low for hatching - it’s good to add extra water and increase it when they’re pipping.
45% humidity is a bit low for hatching - it’s good to add extra water and increase it when they’re pipping.
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- 8,130
- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
Brilliant! Well done! Make sure the brooder is really warm before transferring them so they don’t get any shock from comparatively cold air. Are there any more on the way?
I’m sorry about the little one that died - but perhaps it was for the best.
I’m sorry about the little one that died - but perhaps it was for the best.
- Messages
- 8,130
- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
Aaahh they’re lovely! Worth all your worry and care!
Are any left not hatched yet?
Are any left not hatched yet?
- Messages
- 8,130
- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
D9 you know if they died in the shell, or whether they were infertile?
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- 8,130
- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
One infertile egg could be considered normal especially at this time of year, but you could think about the deaths in shell if you intend to try again.
Were they fully formed, filling the shell and apparently ready to hatch? Had any of them made even a tiny chip in the shell? If so, perhaps the humidity was too low at Day 16. It’s helpful to keep it low before this stage, but when the turning stops 24 hours before the hatch, it needs boosting to 70% by adding water to the reservoir. At this point you can add the cotton floor covering, so that those who do hatch will find it easier to get up on their legs on those all- important early minutes.
Were they fully formed, filling the shell and apparently ready to hatch? Had any of them made even a tiny chip in the shell? If so, perhaps the humidity was too low at Day 16. It’s helpful to keep it low before this stage, but when the turning stops 24 hours before the hatch, it needs boosting to 70% by adding water to the reservoir. At this point you can add the cotton floor covering, so that those who do hatch will find it easier to get up on their legs on those all- important early minutes.
1 died very early on and the other was about day 9 or 10 when it died is it a case of trial and error getting the temperature and humidity right? I don't just go by my incubator I use a separate temperature and humidity digital prob I just leave it in the whole time of incubation. We are going to start getting materials to build a quail home outside so that it's ready for late spring.
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- Location
- Hampshire, U.K.
If it’s early deaths in shell it might be egg quality. Ideally you need fresh clean eggs, all laid within a couple of days so all the same age, locally sourced and not sent through the post. Your incubator procedures were obviously good enough for half the batch to hatch, even if one didn’t make it properly, so yes, this might be a contributory cause, possibly, but not an obvious one. Early quail deaths in shell often indicate that the humidity was too high. Being so small, the highly porous shells have a greater surface area in relation to the volume of the contents than would be the case for bigger eggs with tougher thicker shells.
Having said all that, quail eggs are usually pretty tough. There are reports of people trying to incubate supermarket eggs, quite old obviously, and after a lot of disturbance, and still getting live chicks.
Where did you get yours from?
Having said all that, quail eggs are usually pretty tough. There are reports of people trying to incubate supermarket eggs, quite old obviously, and after a lot of disturbance, and still getting live chicks.
Where did you get yours from?