Factors to Consider When Using a Quail Egg Incubator
A quail egg incubator has similar features to those found in the traditional chicken egg incubator. The only difference is that the temperature and humidity settings may vary. These incubators are available as do-it-yourself kits and as ready-to-use units. The former is excellent for small owner quail hatcheries, while the latter is ideal for large-scale commercial quail hatcheries.
Characteristics of a quail egg incubator
A simple incubator for hatching quail eggs should have a heating element, light source, temperature gauge, fan, water tray, humidity gauge, and tray racks. The tray should always be filled with water during the entire incubation period. This will ensure that the required humidity and temperatures are maintained.
The incubator must be kept at 60 percent humidity and temperatures of 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for chicks to hatch. Higher temperatures can lead to early hatching, but chicks can turn out misshapen. On the other hand, lower temperatures will increase the incubation period. Therefore, it is important to ensure that incubators are set to the proper temperatures.
Incubators vary in price and capacity. Conservation agencies, zoos, and commercial hatcheries typically use incubators that can hatch hundreds or even thousands of eggs at a time. However, incubators used in schools or homes can only hatch about a dozen quail eggs at a time. These units vary in price based on the number of eggs that can hatch at one time.
During the incubation period, the eggs must be turned several times a day. While some incubators have automatic turning mechanisms, others do not. People who have plenty of time on their hands can purchase manual turning incubators. However, people who spend a lot of time away from the incubator should purchase units with automatic regulation of temperature, humidity, and rotation.
The best place to find a quail egg incubator is online. There are many sites that offer free delivery on these incubators. Since the price can vary from one place to another, it is good to shop around to compare prices. Purchasing a brooder and other accessories is important when buying the incubator.
The good news is that some sites have everything related to hatching and raising quail. The incubator should also come complete with charts, graphs, and instructions on how to use it. This will make it easier for you to incubate the eggs and give you a higher success rate in the long run.