Button quail (Coturnix chinensis), also known as Chinese painted quail, are miniature game birds popular among poultry breeders, hobbyists, and researchers due to their small size and rapid reproduction cycle.
However, hatching their eggs successfully is no small task. Button quail eggs require precise incubation conditions, a structured day-by-day routine, and close observation to avoid embryo death, delayed hatching, or weak chicks.
This complete daily guide is designed to help poultry farmers, homesteaders, and bird enthusiasts get the best results when hatching button quail eggs using artificial incubators or broody hens.
🥚 Before You Begin: Essential Preparations
🧼 Clean Equipment
Disinfect incubators, thermometers, egg trays, and humidity gauges to avoid bacterial infections.
✅ Egg Collection & Handling
- Collect eggs within 7 days of laying.
- Avoid dirty eggs—don't wash; use a dry, soft brush.
- Store at 15–18°C (59–64°F) with 70–80% humidity.
- Turn eggs at least 3 times/day to keep the yolk centered.
🌡️ Incubator Settings
- Temperature: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- Humidity: 45–50% (Days 1–13), 65–75% (Days 14–16)
- Turning: Every 2–3 hours (automatic or manual)
- Let the incubator stabilize for 24 hours before placing eggs
📅 Button Quail Hatching Lifecycle: Day-by-Day Guide
Day 0 – 🛬 Egg Collection & Incubator Setup
- Collect only clean, well-shaped eggs.
- Do not wash eggs; it removes the protective bloom.
- Let eggs sit at room temp (60–65°F) for 8–12 hours before incubation.
Day 1–3 – 🔁 Early Development Begins
- Start the incubation process with precise temperature and humidity control.
- Begin automatic/manual turning every 2–3 hours.
- Embryos start forming neural systems, spine, and heartbeat.
🧠 Insight: Improper turning or temperature during these first days can cause fatal deformities.
Day 4–6 – 💓 Heartbeat & Limb Formation
- Blood vessels expand and embryo growth accelerates.
- Tiny limb buds and beak structure begin forming.
🔍 Check: Candle eggs on Day 5 to see blood vessel growth and confirm fertility.
Day 7–9 – 🦴 Skeleton & Feather Primordia
- Cartilage turns into soft bone.
- Wings, legs, and spine become more defined.
- Embryos shift positions frequently.
⚠️ Tip: Handle eggs gently during turning. Do not skip turn cycles.
Day 10–12 – 👀 Eyes Darken, Beak Hardens
- Eyes appear large and dark in candling.
- Beak hardens; chick starts moving inside the shell.
🌡️ Critical: Maintain constant temperature. Spikes or drops can cause developmental arrest.
Day 13 – 🔄 Final Turn Day
- Stop turning the eggs after Day 13 (lockdown stage).
- Prepare for hatching phase.
💧 Action: Increase humidity to 65–70% to soften the shell membrane.
Day 14 – 🐥 Positioning for Hatch
- Chicks move into pipping position with beak toward the air cell.
- Internal pipping may begin late on this day.
🧘♂️ Note: Do not disturb or open the incubator during this period.
Day 15 – 🐣 HATCH DAY!
- External pipping followed by slow zipping around the shell.
- Chicks emerge fully between 12–24 hours after pipping starts.
🎉 Celebrate: But resist the urge to help unless necessary. Intervention can kill the chick.
Day 16 – 💤 Rest & Drying Off
- Newly hatched chicks stay in the incubator until dry and fluffy.
- Do not rush to remove them; warmth is still essential.
🔁 Clean the incubator thoroughly before reusing.
📆 Day 17: Hatch Day! 🎉
- Chicks will begin “zipping” the egg (crack goes all the way around).
- After hatching, leave chicks in incubator for 6–12 hours to dry.
- Transfer to a brooder at 95°F (35°C) with food and water.
🏠 Brooder Care After Hatching
Now that your button quails have hatched:
- Use a low-walled brooder box to prevent leg injuries.
- Floor: Paper towel or non-slip matting (not newspaper).
- Feed: Start with quail starter crumble (28–30% protein).
- Water: Use shallow dishes with marbles to avoid drowning.
📊 Hatch Rate Optimization Tips
| Factor | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temp | 99.5°F (37.5°C) |
| Humidity (first 14 days) | 45–50% |
| Humidity (last 3 days) | 65–70% |
| Turning frequency | 3–5 times/day |
| Hatch time | 16–17 days |
📈 Common Problems & Solutions
❌ Low Hatch Rate
- Check for improper humidity or temperature.
- Egg storage over 10 days also reduces viability.
❌ Sticky Chicks
- Caused by low humidity during lockdown.
- Increase water trays or use a humidifier.
❌ Early Death in Shell
- Usually from bacterial infection or overheating.
- Clean equipment thoroughly and avoid overhandling.
🛠️ Post-Hatch Care for Button Quail Chicks
- Keep brooder at 95°F (35°C) for the first week.
- Use non-slip matting to avoid leg deformities.
- Provide starter crumble feed with high protein (24–28%).
- Clean water with shallow dish + marbles to avoid drowning.
🌍 Country-Specific Conditions
🇺🇸 USA
- Use automated incubators with thermal alarms for consistent climates.
🇮🇳 India & 🇵🇰 Pakistan
- Use wet sponge methods to maintain humidity in dry northern regions.
🇧🇷 Brazil
- Watch for fungal growth in humid zones. Keep the incubator in a ventilated area.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
- Excessive humidity may require dehumidifiers.
🇰🇪 Kenya & 🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Solar incubators are popular due to erratic power. Ensure stable voltage where electric incubators are used.
📢 Final Thoughts 🌟
Hatching button quail eggs is a highly rewarding yet delicate process. Success relies on consistency, observation, and understanding the lifecycle at every stage.
By following this day-by-day guide, poultry farmers and breeders across the globe can significantly improve hatch rates, reduce losses, and enjoy healthy, vibrant button quail chicks.
❓ Most Searched FAQs
Q1. How long does it take for button quail eggs to hatch?
A: Button quail eggs typically hatch in 15–16 days.
Q2. What humidity is best for hatching button quail?
A: Start at 45–50% and increase to 65–75% during lockdown (Day 14–16).
Q3. Can I hatch button quail eggs without an incubator?
A: Yes, but only if you have a broody button quail—not common. Most people use artificial incubators.
Q4. Why did my quail chicks die before hatching?
A: Common causes include low humidity, incorrect temperature, or poor egg storage before incubation.
Q5. Do button quail need help to hatch?
A: Usually not. Only intervene if the chick has pipped for over 24 hours and is clearly stuck or weak.
Q6. Why are my button quail chicks dying after pipping?
A: Likely causes: low humidity, weak embryos, or assisting too early.
Q7. When should I stop turning button quail eggs?
A: Stop turning at Day 14 and increase humidity.
Q8. Can I help a button quail chick hatch?
A: Only if more than 24 hours pass after external pipping, and chick shows no progress.