Overview
The Quail is a game bird, and its eggs hatch in about 18 days, with a normal window of days 16-18. Incubation difficulty is rated Beginner. Below you'll find the temperature, humidity, turning, candling and hatching steps for this species.
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game birdBeginner
Quail
Fast-breeding small bird hatching in just 17–18 days; speckled shells make candling tricky.
18
days incubation
37.8
°C temperature
55
% humidity
Incubation period
18 days
Temperature
37.5–37.8 °C
Humidity (phase 1)
45–55 %
Turning
5 times per day
Lockdown day
day 15
Hatch humidity
65–70 %
Candling days
7, 14
Hatch window
16–18 days
Quail Incubation Guide
Difficulty: BeginnerTemperature and humidity
In a forced-air (fan) incubator, hold the temperature steady at 37.5-37.8 °C and target 45-55% relative humidity in the first stage. Verify the readout with a reliable digital thermometer and hygrometer.
Turning and candling
Turn the eggs an odd number of times per day, 5 times, so the embryo doesn't stick to the shell. Recommended candling days: 7, 14. In a dark room, hold the egg to a strong light; a vein network and movement show fertility, and clear eggs should be removed.
Lockdown and hatching
On day 15, stop turning (lockdown), raise humidity to 65-70% and keep the incubator closed as much as possible. Hatching is expected on days 16-18; once chicks start pipping the shell, be patient, as hatching can take hours.
After-hatch care
Leave the chicks in the incubator until their down dries and they perk up, then move them to a brooder kept at 35 °C for the first week, lowering the heat by about 3 °C each week. Provide clean water and quality starter feed at all times.
Frequently asked questions about Quail
How long do Quail eggs take to hatch?
Quail eggs hatch in about 18 days; most hatch between days 16 and 18.
What temperature and humidity do Quail eggs need?
In a forced-air incubator, 37.5–37.8 °C with 45–55% humidity; in the last few days (lockdown) raise the humidity to 65–70%.
When do you candle Quail eggs?
Candle on days 7, 14 and remove clear or non-developing eggs at these checks.
When do you stop turning Quail eggs?
Stop turning on day 15, then raise the humidity and keep the incubator closed until the chicks hatch.
