Chloe Adams
Quail eggs are notoriously difficult to candle due to their dark, thick shells. However, it is important to candle them to check for fertility and development. The best time to candle quail eggs is around day 7, as the embryos should be large enough to see by then. Some sources suggest candling again on day 9 to check for infertility and on day 15 to check for quitters. It is recommended to use a good candler or a phone with a decent light source, such as an iPhone flashlight, and to candle in a dark room. Comparing eggs within the same batch can also help determine normal development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to candle quail eggs | Day 7, Day 9, Day 12-15, Day 18 |
| Reason | To check development and fertility, and to identify rotten eggs |
| Equipment | Phone light, flashlight, or a dedicated egg candler |
| Process | Performed in a dark room, checking for veins, movement, and darker colouration |
| Lockdown | Day 15, when eggs are no longer turned and humidity is increased |
| Pip | When the chick penetrates the air cell of the egg and begins breathing |
| Unzip | The final stage of hatching when the chick breaks the egg shell |
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What You'll Learn
Candling on day 7
If you are candling on day 7, you may notice that some of the eggs are loose, and the embryo inside moves around readily when you rotate the egg. This could be a terrible sign. You may also see some eggs that are really dark on one side, with no veins, only a large black blob, and no blood ring. This is normal.
If you are candling on day 7 and you see that some eggs are clear, then they weren't fertilized, and you can toss them soon after the first candling if you don't notice any change. However, if in doubt, compare your eggs to others in the same batch, and wait a few days before discarding eggs (unless they are obviously stinky).
Some people recommend not candling every day, as over-candling could harm an embryo. They suggest candling on day 9 (to check for infertility) and day 15 (to check for quitters). However, if you are tracking the progress of your eggs, candling on day 7 can be helpful.
Remember, the purpose of candling is to help monitor the fertility and development of an egg, and to remove non-viable eggs to avoid having them rot and explode inside the incubator.
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Lockdown on day 15
On day 15, also known as lockdown day, you should stop turning the quail eggs and let them rest before hatching begins. If your incubator has removable racks, carefully remove them and place the eggs flat at the bottom of the incubator.
Day 15 is also the time to discard any eggs that have failed to develop. If you are candling, you can do this on day 15. However, it is recommended not to candle during lockdown, as it is important to keep humidity high. If you do candle on day 15, you should discard any eggs that appear clear and empty.
It is important to increase the humidity level to 65-70% on day 15. This can be achieved by adding more water, partially blocking off vents, or adding a wet sponge or cloth.
Lockdown is the name given to the final period of egg incubation. It is the time when you stop turning the eggs, increase the humidity, and wait for hatching. For Bobwhite quail, lockdown starts on day 21 of incubation, whereas for Coturnix quail, lockdown begins on day 15.
Candling is a method used to monitor the fertility and development of an egg. It is typically done around day 7 of incubation, as the embryos should be large enough to see at this point. However, some sources recommend candling as early as day 4 or 5 to check for blood vessels and again on day 14 or 15 to check for further development.
Quail eggs can be difficult to candle, especially for beginners. It is recommended to use a good light source, such as an iPhone flashlight, and to candle in a dark room. It is important to have clean, dry hands and to be gentle and quick when candling.
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Humidity levels
The ideal humidity level for the first 14 days of incubation is generally agreed to be around 40% to 50%. During this period, it is important to monitor the air cells, which should be at the fat end of the egg, as they are a good indicator of the humidity levels. If the humidity is too high, the air cells may become overly wet or enlarged. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the humidity to 40%–45% during days 1–14 of the next batch. Conversely, if the humidity is too low, the air cells may appear sticky at lockdown. To rectify this, increase the humidity to 70% and avoid opening the incubator until most chicks have hatched.
From day 15 onwards, when the eggs are typically not turned anymore, the humidity should be increased to 65%–75%. It is recommended to not open the incubator for the final three days of incubation to maintain stable humidity and temperature levels, which are crucial for a successful hatch.
To manage humidity levels, the use of a high-quality incubator with a water reservoir is essential. It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for filling the water reservoirs and setting the humidity levels. Some incubators have automatic humidity regulation, which can be beneficial if you are unable to regularly monitor and adjust humidity levels manually. Additionally, the use of a separate digital hygrometer placed at egg level can provide accurate, real-time feedback to help fine-tune humidity levels.
It is worth noting that environmental conditions, such as a humid summer or the use of air conditioning, can impact the humidity levels within the incubator. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a constant temperature in the room where the incubator is located and ensure it is free from drafts and away from windows and direct sunlight.
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Using a phone light
Quail eggs are notoriously difficult to candle, especially for beginners. This is because quail eggs are thicker than chicken eggs and harder to see through. In addition, the veins and embryos of developing quail eggs are often hard to see, even with a good candler. Therefore, candling quail eggs with a phone light can be challenging, but it is possible.
To candle quail eggs with a phone light, start by ensuring that your hands are clean and dry. Then, enter a dark room with your phone and the eggs. Shine the light from your phone into the fat side of the egg. You may need to play around with the angle to expose the most visible detail. If your phone light is not bright enough, try blocking some of the light that is escaping around the sides of the egg, or use a flashlight in addition to your phone light. Be sure to handle the eggs gently and quickly, and do not let them get cold or overheated.
When candling quail eggs, it is important to be patient and not to panic if you cannot see veins or embryos right away. This is normal, even for experienced candlers. If you are unsure, wait a few days before discarding any eggs (unless they are obviously rotten). It can take some practice to know what you are looking for, but with time you may be able to see blood vessels, the eye of the chick, or movement from the chick in the egg.
In addition to candling, another way to test the viability of quail eggs is to use the float test. To do this, fill a container with water at the same temperature as your incubator (around 99 degrees Celsius) and carefully place the eggs in the water. If they wobble, they are alive; if they sink, they are dead; and if they float, they may still be alive or just a little behind in development. However, some people frown upon the float test, as it is believed to remove the coating from the egg.
Finally, it is important to note that over-candling quail eggs can harm the embryo, especially towards the end of the incubation period. Therefore, it is recommended that you candle quail eggs no more than three times: once before placing them in the incubator, once at the 10-day mark, and once before lockdown on days 14-15.
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When to discard eggs
Quail eggs are delicate and perishable, and proper storage is essential to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Here are some guidelines on when to discard quail eggs:
Cracked or Damaged Eggs
Quail eggs with cracks or damage should be discarded. Even small cracks can leave the eggs susceptible to bacterial infection and rapid spoilage. A cracked egg may also emit a noticeable bad odour, indicating that it has gone bad and needs to be discarded.
Storage Time and Refrigeration
The recommended storage time for quail eggs is around six weeks. However, if the eggs are not refrigerated, they should be used within two to three weeks for optimal flavour and quality. If you plan to refrigerate the eggs, lightly clean them with a dry brush or soft cloth before storage. Avoid washing them unless absolutely necessary, as this removes the protective coating (bloom) that seals out bacteria and prolongs shelf life.
Float Test
A simple way to determine if quail eggs are fresh is to use the float test. Fill a bowl with room temperature water and gently place the eggs in it. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom, while those past their prime will float with the pointed end down and should be discarded.
Candling and Embryo Development
Candling is a method used to check the development of embryos in quail eggs. It is typically done around day 7, as the embryos should be large enough to see by then. If you candle your quail eggs and notice any of the following, it may be an indication to discard them:
- Loose embryos that move around readily when the egg is rotated
- Dark or completely blackened eggs with no visible veins or blood rings
- Clear eggs, indicating they were not fertilised
However, it is important to note that quail eggs can be challenging to candle, especially for beginners, and some recommend waiting a few days before discarding eggs unless there are obvious signs of spoilage, such as a strong odour.
Lockdown and Hatching
Around day 15, also known as lockdown day, you should stop turning the eggs and increase the humidity level to 65-70%. It is recommended to candle the eggs again on this day and discard any that have failed to develop. If some eggs do not hatch by day 18, leave them in the incubator for at least 12 more hours. After this period, turn off the incubator and discard any remaining unhatched eggs.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling quail eggs helps to check on the development of the eggs and ensure that they are not harbouring dangerous bacteria.
The best time to candle quail eggs is around day 7, as the embryos should be large enough to see. Day 15, also known as lockdown day, is another good time to candle and discard any eggs that have failed to develop.
It is recommended to candle quail eggs only on days 9 and 15, as over-candling could harm the embryo.
