Chook Me!

Coturnix Quail Eggs Not Hatching?

Today is the 19th day of incubation for my coturnix eggs. They are 2 days overdue and still no sign of hatching. No movement at all. Last day of turning was day 14. Temperature for the first 14 days was 99.5F, humidity around 65%. Temperature is 99F and humidity is around 70% from day 14 onward. I don't open the incubator. Candled the eggs and 14/15 were developing. Egg 15 was infertile. I got these coturnix eggs from a friend. At last candling (day 14 early morning) no air cell was visible. What is going on? I know the membrane on these guys is tough, but where did I go wrong? Do you think they will ever hatch, or shall I move on with new eggs. GQF Hovabator 1602N is what I am using. Thank you. I will award the 10 points! Thank you for your responses. Today is the 20th day (not the 14th!). From the breeders, I learned Coturnix (Japanese Quail) take 18 days maximum to hatch!! Now, I am receiving conflicting information from one source!! Can someone else verify that it takes 24 days to hatch Coturnix eggs? Thank you.

Public Comments

1. Well you get a hammer and you smash the eggs and have them for dinner
2. At 14 days your eggs are NOT overdue it takes from 21-24 days for their eggs to hatch as your incubator is not a self turner you need to start turning them asap. There are some good web sites which will tell you all you need to know,these may stop you panicking. Having been a breeder of these and other species for over 40 years I have never known their eggs hatch any sooner, the very earliest I had was 19-20 days but I got my dates mixed, so I did panick at first, then I bought a book on all Quail and breeding them , which was the best thing I ever did, but then I did not have the advantage of the internet, So be patient do not forget the last day leave them alone but if you are spraying continue till just before last day with giving a fine spray of WARM water.at least twice a day. Edit Japanese Quail "Cortinux japonica" Cortinux Quail "Cortinux japonica" one and the same. As I have already said I have been breeding these birds for over 40 years , for the Pet trade and their Eggs.. so I believe I have a "little" experience.it also depends on the incubators.18 days is only estimated hatching times, look up Cortinux Japonica on the web and you will get some idea. One other thing is you do not count the first day(24 hours) of putting eggs into the incubator that may be causeing all the confusion in hatching dates.
3. Wacky has given you good advice I have taken his on quite a number of occasions along with many other members,he knows what he is talking about. But it is a shame that some one always marks him down, without even answering the question themselves, so be like many others who ignore the Down marker. Now what? they will down mark my answer
4. The second responder received a "thumbs down" mark probably because the question was misread, but the advice was very good for someone with 14 day old eggs. Bobwhite eggs take 21-24 days to hatch. Coturnix take 16-18 days. DO NOT open the incubator. If today is day 20, I would give the eggs 2 more days, then I would move on. Your temperature and humidity was/is correct. I don't know what else to say. Maybe some little guys are just not meant to be. I am sorry, and I hope you have a better hatch next time. Was this your first attempt at incubating and hatching?