A quail egg incubator has features similar 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 DIY 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.
Features of a quail egg incubator
A simple incubator for hatching quail eggs should have a heating element, a light source, a temperature gauge, a fan, a water pan, a humidity gauge, and tray racks. The tray must always be filled with water throughout the 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 may lead to early hatching, but chicks may hatch misshapen. On the other hand, lower temperatures will increase the incubation period. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the incubators are set to the proper temperatures.
Incubators vary in price and capacity. Conservation agencies, zoos, and commercial hatcheries commonly 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 they 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 enough time on their hands can buy incubators with manual turning. However, people who spend a lot of time away from the incubator should buy 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 place to place, it is good to shop around to compare prices. Buying a brooder and other accessories is important when buying the incubator.
The good news is that some sites have everything to do with 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 hatch the eggs and give you a higher long-term success rate.