Blue scale quail are a beautiful and unique variety of coturnix quail known for their slate blue plumage. They are a popular choice among backyard poultry keepers for their hardiness, modest space requirements, and high egg production. However, successfully hatching blue scale quail requires careful incubation of their tiny, beautifully speckled eggs. By understanding blue scale quail egg incubation basics, creating an optimal incubation environment, and practicing good hatchery hygiene, you can achieve high hatch rates for these delightful little birds.
Blue Scale Quail Egg Basics
Blue scale quail, like other coturnix varieties, reach sexual maturity and begin laying eggs at just 6-8 weeks of age. They are prolific layers, producing up to 300 small, creamy white eggs annually when conditions are right. Blue scale quail eggs weigh 8-12 grams on average and have a pale cream color with small brown speckles. The shells are fragile compared to chicken eggs. Here are some key facts about blue scale quail egg incubation:
– Incubation period: 14-18 days
– Ideal incubation temperature: 99.5-100°F
– Ideal humidity: 60% for first 15 days, 70% for hatch days
– Egg storage: 7-10 days at 55-65°F, longer reduces hatch rates
Proper egg handling, turning, and ventilation are critical for strong hatches. Carefully collect eggs at least twice daily, store appropriately, and set them in the incubator within 1 week for best results.
Incubator Requirements
A quality incubator with good temperature regulation, humidity control, and circulation is essential for hatching blue scale quail eggs. Here are key incubator requirements:
– Automatic turning – The incubator must gently turn eggs at least 3 times per day during the first 14 days of incubation.
– Temperature control – Maintain a consistent 99.5-100°F throughout incubation. Over or under-temperature can impact embryo development.
– Humidity control – Adjust humidity from 60% for the first 15 days up to 70% for hatching. Proper moisture levels prevent embryo dehydration.
– Air circulation – Good venting exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide for normal chick development.
– Sanitation – Easily cleaned and disinfected to prevent disease transfer between hatches. Stainless steel and plastic surfaces are ideal.
Look for small incubators with a capacity of 6-12 quail eggs. Top-fill water trays and automatic turners are recommended features.
Setting Up the Incubator
Allow the incubator to run for at least 24 hours before setting eggs to stabilize temperature and humidity. Follow these steps:
1. Sanitize the incubator interior with a dilute bleach solution. Rinse and dry completely.
2. Ensure the incubator is level. Adjust the location to minimize vibration.
3. Fill water trays and connect power. Turn on heating elements and humidity pump.
4. Monitor the temperature and humidity. Make any necessary adjustments until optimal levels are reached.
5. Run the empty incubator for at least 24 hours preheating before adding eggs.
Incubation Procedure
Careful monitoring and proper handling throughout the 18 day incubation process is vital for a strong hatch. Follow these key steps:
Days 1-10:
– Maintain temperature at 99.5-100°F with 60% humidity.
– Turn eggs at least 3 times per day, making sure all sides get equal heating.
– Candle eggs after 1 week, removing any quail eggs that are infertile or no longer developing. These will appear clear under candling instead of showing networks of blood vessels.
Days 11-17:
– Increase humidity to 70% for hatching.
– Stop turning eggs on day 15 and leave untouched. Chicks need this stillness to correctly orient themselves for hatching.
– Resist opening the incubator to minimize temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Hatch Days:
– Expect chicks to pip and hatch over a 12-24 period beginning on day 17.
– Do not assist emerging chicks unless egg piping progress completely stalls for over 12 hours. This can cause injury.
– Let chicks fully fluff and dry in the incubator before transferring to a brooder.
– Only remove hatchlings once activity has fully ended and no new pipping is observed for 6+ hours.
With close monitoring and proper procedures, you can expect hatch rates of 75-95% for blue scale quail eggs. Lower fertility rates, poor egg handling, and incubator malfunctions are the most common causes of reduced hatch rates.
Incubator Maintenance
Proper incubator hygiene and maintenance between hatches is crucial. Follow these steps after each use:
– Remove all debris from hatching. Use soap and water followed by disinfectant to fully clean and sanitize the incubator interior, trays, and water system.
– Replace incubator parts like filters and gaskets as needed if they show signs of wear or mineral buildup.
– Test calibration of the temperature and humidity system and recalibrate if readings are off.
– Let the incubator run empty for 24-48 hours to verify stable operation before adding new eggs.
This allows each new hatch to start off with optimized conditions for the developing embryos. Keep detailed notes on incubation duration, temperature and humidity trends, and hatch rates from each batch to note any factors potentially reducing success over time.
Brooding Hatchlings
Newly hatched blue scale quail chicks require careful brooding for their first 2-3 weeks of life. Here are important brooding considerations:
Warmth:
– Chicks need 95°F ambient air temperature the first week, lowering by 5°F increments each week.
– Use a heat lamp, brooder plate, or Brinsea EcoGlow as safe heat sources.
– Provide chick-sized hides to allow regulating their temperature.
Bedding:
– Line the brooder with 2-3 inches of soft pine shavings. Spot clean daily.
– Avoid slick papers like newspaper that can cause spraddle leg.
Food and Water:
– Supply a 20% protein chick starter feed and clean water immediately.
– Use shallow, narrow chick feeders and waters to prevent drowning.
– Scatter feed on paper plates the first days to teach chicks to eat.
With attentive brooding care, blue scale quail chicks grow rapidly, doubling their hatch weight in just 2 weeks!
Conclusion
From incubator setup through hatching and brooding, following proper procedures is key for hatching and raising healthy blue scale quail. Pay close attention to temperature and humidity regulation, egg turning schedules, and hatchling care. With experience, you can achieve excellent hatch rates and enjoy these beautiful little quail as they rapidly grow. Their prolific egg production will keep your incubator busy hatching new batches of these delightful birds!