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.
Incubation Parameters
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 many days does a Quail egg take to hatch?
Quail eggs usually hatch in 18 days, with a normal window of days 16-18.
What temperature is Quail incubation done at?
In a forced-air incubator, 37.5-37.8 °C and 45-55% humidity are recommended; during lockdown humidity is raised to 65-70%.
When should Quail eggs be candled?
Recommended candling days: 7, 14. Remove any clear or non-developing eggs at these checks.
