It is
often difficult to get game birds to incubate eggs in
captivity. By allowing hens to lay on their eggs - it
will slow down their egg production. Therefore, it
is necessary to utilize incubators to hatch fertile
eggs.
Still Air Incubators:
These incubators are not commonly used anymore for egg
incubation. Still Air Incubators, also known as
Thermal Incubators, heat eggs using no air movement
methods. These incubators have been replaced over the
last 15 - 20 years by Forced Air - Circulating
incubators. When incubating quail eggs in a Still Air
Incubator, maintain a temperature of 103
degrees. The temperature should be decreased to 100
degrees during the last 1-2 days of incubation.
Humidity is also necessary for a successful hatch.
However, humidity is difficult to measure in a Still
Air Incubator. It is recommended that a flat water
pan covering the incubator floor be used to provide
humidity. During the last couple of days of incubation
sprinkle eggs with water to increase humidity
slightly.
Forced Air Incubators: This type of incubator
is commonly used to incubate quail eggs. Some
examples of these incubators are shown on this page.
Forced Air Incubators maintain a constant temperature
throughout the incubator by means of a circulation
fan. This method of incubation provides the most
consistent air temperature and
humidity of any incubation methods available. Most of
the Forced Air Incubators available for sale also can
be adapted with equipment which allows turning of the
eggs.
Turning of the eggs is essential to the incubation
process. If eggs are not turned a minimum of 4 -5
times a day, the embryos inside the eggs will settle
and the eggs will not hatch. It is advised
to stop turning the eggs two days prior to hatching.
This will allow the chicks to position themselves to
hatch easily.
Temperature inside the incubator should be maintained
at 99 1/2 degrees and a relative humidity of 60 %.
During the final 2 days of incubation the temperature
can be decreased one degree and the humidity increased
to 70%.
The incubation process is often a result of trial and
error. Temperature, humidity and turning of the eggs
are three essential factors in a successful hatch. It
is recommended that you consult incubator
documentation and more specific material available
about how to incubate quail eggs before attempting to
incubate eggs yourself.
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degrees. The temperature should be decreased to 100
degrees during the last 1-2 days of incubation.
Humidity is also necessary for a successful hatch.
However, humidity is difficult to measure in a Still
Air Incubator. It is recommended that a flat water
pan covering the incubator floor be used to provide
humidity. During the last couple of days of incubation
sprinkle eggs with water to increase humidity
slightly.
to stop turning the eggs two days prior to hatching.
This will allow the chicks to position themselves to
hatch easily.