Care Of Fertile Eggs Prior To Incubation

1. Collect eggs 2 to 3 times a day if birds are raised in colony cages or on the floor. This will prevent cracking of the shell by the birds.
2. Handle eggs very carefully; the Coturnix egg shells are thinner than chicken egg shells.
3. Eggs stored prior to incubation should be kept in a cool place at approximately 55¡F (13¡C) and at about 70 percent humidity.
4. Do not hold eggs more than 7 days prior to incubation, as hatchability will be reduced considerably after that.
5. If eggs have to be stored for a considerable time, cover them with a polyethylene plastic bag which helps to prevent drying of the egg content.

INCUBATION: Domesticated quail do not have the tendency for broodiness and hence eggs must be incubated under a broody hen or by artificial incubation. If you plan to set eggs under a hen, do not place eggs of other species with them. The difference in the size of the eggs can influence temperatures from the body of the hen and result in poor hatchability. Japanese quail eggs can be successfully incubated by using almost any type of commercial incubator. The egg trays of large commercial type incubators will have to be modified to accommodate the quail eggs.

Temperature, humidity, turning and ventilation are the four important factors in incubation. Failure in any of these will result in a poor hatch. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendation very closely.The eggs should be turned a minimum of three times each day. A turning schedule might be 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. A good idea is to mark an X on the side of an egg (with a felt tip pen). This mark will be up on day one, down on day two, etc., rotating eggs with a 180-degree turn. Do not turn quail eggs after the 14th day of incubation.

Japanese quail eggs will generally hatch on the 17th day of incubation, but hatch can take place as early as the 14th day and as late as the 19th day. This difference in quail incubation period is not yet scientifically understood. After every hatch, the incubator should be cleaned, disinfected and fumigated.

Reasons for Poor Hatch:

1. Eggs are infertile.
2. Eggs are cracked and contents dried out.
3. Eggs are too old when set.
4. Eggs are held in extreme temperatures prior to incubation.
5. Shells are contaminated.
6. Eggs are not turned often enough.
7. Temperature is too high, too low or too variable.
8. Too little humidity or too much humidity in the incubator.
9. Improper ventilation.


Once the quail chick pips the egg, it may take up to 10 hours before it comes out of the shell. It will take a few hours before the wet chick is completely dry.

After the first chick is hatched, at least 24 hours of incubation should be allowed for the others to hatch. Chicks can stay in the incubator safely for a day, and then they should be carefully transferred to a warm (approximately 95 degrees F) brooder unit.