Care Guide - Incubation & hatching

Egg Care Upon Arrival

Open the parcel carefully and inspect all eggs for visible damage.
Discard any eggs that are cracked or leaking.

Allow eggs to rest for 6-12 hours at room temperature before placing them in the incubator.
This resting period helps the internal contents stabilise after transport and improves hatch success.

Do not wash the eggs.
Washing removes the natural protective bloom on the shell. Small amounts of dirt or debris are normal and safe to leave in place.

Incubation Overview

Expected Incubation Period:

Most button quail eggs hatch between 16-18 days. It’s normal, however, for some eggs to take longer, especially if temperature or humidity has varied during incubation. In these cases, hatching can occasionally occur up to 24 days.

For beginners, the key is patience! Eggs should stay in the incubator until there are clear signs that development has stopped, as late hatches do happen and removing eggs too early can prevent a successful hatch.

Incubation Settings

Temperature

Forced-air incubator: 37.5°C / 99.5°F

Still-air incubator: 38.5°C / 101.3°F

Many incubators do not display temperature perfectly and can struggle to retain heat, especially in cooler rooms. A simple and effective trick is to wrap the outside of the incubator with a towel or blanket (never covering ventilation holes). This helps stabilise temperature and can noticeably improve hatch rates.

For extra reassurance, you may use a separate thermometer placed at egg level to confirm the actual temperature inside the incubator.

Humidity

Most incubators include built-in water channels or reservoirs designed to control humidity levels. Adding water to these channels increases humidity inside the incubator, while leaving them empty results in lower humidity.

Standard Humidity Method

Days 1-14: 45-50%
(Add water to the incubator channels as needed)

Lockdown (final days): 60-70%
(Increase water in the channels and avoid opening the incubator)

Dry Hatch Method

We have also had excellent success using the dry hatch method, particularly in the UK where average ambient humidity is typically 40-60%.

During a dry hatch:

No water is added to the incubator channels for the first 14 days

Ambient room humidity provides sufficient moisture

This helps develop a larger, healthier air cell and can make hatching easier

The method closely mimics natural brooding conditions

For best results, raise humidity to 65-70% for the final 3 days (lockdown) by adding water to the incubator channels. This ensures the membrane remains soft enough for the chick to hatch safely.

Reassuring Reminder

Don’t worry if humidity and temperature readings vary slightly. Stable, consistent conditions are far more important than exact numbers, and many successful hatches can still occur without perfectly controlled variables throughout incubation.

Candling Button Quail Eggs

Candling is the process of shining a bright light through an egg to check whether it is fertile and developing.

Because button quail eggs are very small and often darkly speckled, candling works best in a dark room using a strong LED flashlight or egg candler (your phones torch works too, but we find it can be harder to see as it isn't as bright)

What you’ll see:

Days 3-5: Fine red veins may be visible if the egg is fertile

Days 7-10: A darker embryo mass appears; veins are clearer

Later stages: The egg looks mostly dark, with a visible air cell at the wide end

Clear egg (no veins): Likely infertile or early failure

Tips:

Candle quickly (5 - 10 seconds) to avoid chilling the egg

Always return eggs to the incubator promptly

Don’t candle too early - button quail development is easy to miss at first

Candling helps you track development, remove non-viable eggs, and monitor hatch progress.

We normally only candle the eggs as we transition to lockdown (explained below) on day 14, this is so we can remove obviously infertile or eggs that have stopped developing.

Egg Turning

Turning eggs is essential during the early stages of incubation. It prevents the developing embryo from sticking to the shell membrane and helps ensure even growth.
How Often to Turn

Turn eggs 3-5 times per day

Aim for an odd number of turns each day so the egg does not rest on the same side overnight

Turns should be gentle and smooth, never shaken or jolted

Try to space turns evenly throughout the day. If you miss a turn occasionally, don’t panic - consistency over time matters more than perfection.

When to Stop Turning (Lockdown)

Stop turning on day 14

This period is known as lockdown

During lockdown, the chick positions itself for hatching and should not be disturbed

Once lockdown begins:

Remove eggs from the turner (if using one)

Lay eggs flat or slightly tilted on a non-slip surface

Avoid opening the incubator unless necessary

Automatic Egg Turners

Automatic egg turners are highly recommended if they are suitable for very small quail eggs. They:

Ensure consistent turning, even overnight

Reduce the risk of forgetting turns

Help maintain stable temperature and humidity by minimising incubator opening

Make sure the turner:

Holds button quail eggs securely without gaps

Turns gently and slowly

Does not allow eggs to roll freely or collide

If your turner is designed for larger quail or chicken eggs, you may need quail egg inserts or to turn eggs by hand instead.

Beginner Reassurance

If you forget to turn eggs for part of a day, it’s rarely a disaster - just resume turning as soon as possible. Problems usually arise from not turning at all over several days, not from an occasional missed turn.

Lockdown & Hatching

Lockdown begins on day 14 of incubation and is the most delicate stage of the hatching process.

During Lockdown

Increase humidity to the recommended lockdown range

Stop turning the eggs completely

Avoid opening the incubator, as sudden drops in humidity can make hatching more difficult

Ensure there is a non-slip surface on the bottom of the incubator (such as shelf liner, paper towel, or hatching mat). This helps prevent splayed leg by giving newly hatched chicks proper footing.

Once lockdown starts, it’s best to leave the incubator closed and allow the chicks to hatch naturally with minimal disturbance.

The Hatching Process

Hatching is not instant and often takes time.

From the first pip, hatching can take up to 24 hours

After pipping, the chick will begin to “zip”, cutting a line around the shell

Once zipping is complete, the chick will push free of the egg

This slow process is normal and allows the chick to fully prepare for life outside the egg.

When (and When Not) to Help

Most chicks do not need assistance and should be left alone to hatch naturally.

In some cases, a chick may become stuck during pipping or zipping. If this happens:

Wait at least 24 hours with no visible progress before considering help

This waiting period allows the chick to:

-Absorb remaining blood vessels

-Absorb the rest of the yolk sac

Chicks absorb enough energy from the yolk to survive 48-72 hours without food or water, so there is no rush

If assistance is truly needed:

Work slowly and carefully

Gently peel away small pieces of shell

Stop immediately if you see bleeding

Allow the chick to wriggle free on its own as much as possible

Assisted chicks are often weaker at first and may take longer to stand and walk, as they missed the natural strengthening process that happens during a normal hatch.

After Hatching

Allow chicks to fully hatch and dry inside the incubator

They should become dry, fluffy, and active before removal

This usually takes 8-24 hours

Only move chicks once they are completely dry and stable.

Incubation & Hatching FAQ

❓ I feel like I’m doing everything wrong - is that normal?

Yes. Almost everyone feels this way during their first hatch. Incubation involves waiting, uncertainty, and resisting the urge to interfere. If your setup is stable and you’re following the basics, you’re already doing far better than you think.

❓ My incubator readings don’t match the guide exactly.

That’s very common. Many incubators are slightly inaccurate, especially budget models. Small variations in temperature or humidity are normal and usually harmless. Stability over time matters much more than perfect numbers.

❓ I missed a turn / opened the incubator / adjusted something late.

Don’t panic. Single mistakes rarely ruin a hatch. Eggs are surprisingly resilient. Problems usually come from repeated, ongoing issues, not one-off slip-ups.

❓ Nothing is happening and I’m worried the eggs are dead.

Incubation often looks uneventful, especially in the early days. Button quail eggs can also be difficult to candle due to their size and speckling. If you’re unsure, it’s usually best to leave eggs in the incubator and wait rather than remove them too early.

❓ It’s day 18 and there are no pips yet.

This is still within the normal range. While many button quail hatch around 16-18 days, some take longer, particularly if temperature or humidity fluctuated. Hatching can occasionally occur up to 24 days.

❓ One chick has pipped but hasn’t hatched yet.

This is normal. From the first pip, hatching can take up to 24 hours. The chick needs time to absorb the yolk and blood vessels before it can safely hatch. Intervention too early can cause serious harm.

❓ Should I help a chick out of the egg?

In most cases, no. Chicks are designed to hatch on their own. Assistance should only be considered if:

There has been no progress for at least 24 hours

The chick appears fully developed

You are confident the membrane has dried and is preventing hatching

Helping too early is far riskier than waiting.

❓ Some chicks hatched and others didn’t - did I fail?

Not at all. Even experienced breeders rarely achieve a 100% hatch rate, and shipped eggs hatch rate average is 30-50%. Infertility, transport damage, and early embryo loss are common and often outside your control. A partial hatch is still a success.

❓ The chicks look weak or wobbly.

Newly hatched chicks are often unsteady. Assisted chicks may take longer to stand and walk. As long as they are alert and improving, this is usually normal. Strength often develops over the first 24-48 hours.

❓ Do chicks need food and water immediately?

No. Chicks absorb the yolk before hatching, which provides enough nutrition for 48-72 hours. Focus on warmth and stability first.

❓ I’m scared to do the wrong thing during lockdown.

That’s understandable - lockdown feels stressful. The best approach is often to do less, not more:

Stop turning

Increase humidity

Avoid opening the incubator

Be patient

Further Support

If you need any further advice at any stage of incubation or hatching, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help and guide you through the process, whether you have a quick question or just need some reassurance along the way. We want you to have the best possible experience and the highest chance of a successful hatch.

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