When do they stop hatching?

[areadshaw]

I am hatching bobwhite quail. This is currently day 29 of incubation. They began hatching on day 23. They are still hatching. When will they stop??

[CharlieHorse]

They should have already been done.  I've had a couple go as much as 4 days past the due date. The majority should hatch on or near the due day. Are the late hatchers doing alright, or do they have anything wrong with them? As long as their hatching, just let them go and keep the hatcher running!  Good Luck.

[gsc]

I've had them go for 6 days, but the few that hatched at the end were very weak and didn't make it.

[CharlieHorse]

  the few that hatched at the end were very weak and didn't make it.

Likewise.

[pande45099]

sounds like temp too low

[Reeves]

sounds like temp too low

x 2

[tigermtsirius]

This is my first time hatching.  I had 50 pharoah quail eggs.  They started hatching exactly on the date due (2 days ago).  Last night I had one die trying to get out of the shell, and then two more this morning that hatched ok, but seemed weak. I have 30 (out of 50 eggs left unhatched).

Question #1, should I pull these chicks out at 12 hours after hatch?  How long could/should I leave the weak chick in the incubator?  They are breathing and able to walk, but seem to mostly lay flat on their stomach, next to each other head to the side.

Question #2, how long do I leave the incubator running after hatch day (tonight is day 19).  When you think no more will hatch, is it worth cracking the remainder of the eggs open?

(FYI) I have one pie section of my incubator that NONE hatched from.  Two sections that hatched halfway, and a few sections that hatched a couple.  Uneven heat?  I ahve the brower top hatch incubator.

[CharlieHorse]

sounds like temp too low

x 2

I would have to agree. Although I have done a little experimenting and have come to the conclusion that uneven heating of the eggs in these styrofoam incubators is more of my problem than anything.

Up the temp.....eggs start hatching 24 hrs early and will hatch for at least 4 days.

Lower the temp.....eggs start hatching late on due date or after due date and still hatch for at least 4 days.

The majority will hatch within a 24 hr period no matter what the temp is.  I also move the eggs from the center to the outer, and vise-versa when candling.......same thing no matter what. Changing the temp just seems to change the start of the hatch, but always last for at least 4 days or more.

If I had Reeves money, I'd go out and buy me one of those nice incubators, but I don't.     :mrgreen:

Sorry, I forgot.......Reeves don't need an incubator when his birds have 3 acres per bird.....they hatch them themselves!    That's cheatin'!     

[Reeves]

Sorry, I forgot.......Reeves don't need an incubator when his birds have 3 acres per bird.....they hatch them themselves!    That's cheatin'!