How to Incubate Button Quail Eggs
How I Hatch Button Quail at Bryant's Roost
Quick Look
Incubate button quail eggs at 99.5°F (37.5°C).
I maintain 40% relative humidity for most of incubation.
I store and hatch my eggs upright rather than laying them on their sides.
I do not candle button quail eggs because their small size makes candling difficult and unnecessary in my program.
Newly hatched chicks should be moved to the brooder within 24–36 hours because their fast metabolism means they need access to feed and water sooner than many people expect.
Direct Answer
Button quail eggs incubate successfully using many of the same incubation principles as other poultry, but their tiny size changes how I manage them. At Bryant's Roost, I incubate my button quail eggs at 99.5°F with approximately 40% relative humidity, keep the eggs upright throughout incubation, do not candle them, and hatch them upright as well. Once the chicks hatch, I move them to the brooder within about 24 to 36 hours so they have early access to feed and water.
Quick Facts
Characteristic Recommendation
Temperature 99.5°F (37.5°C)
Humidity Approximately 40%
Egg Position Upright
Candling I do not candle
Hatch Position Upright
Chick Removal 24–36 hours after hatch
First Feed & Water As soon as chicks are moved to the brooder
Why I Hatch Button Quail Differently
People are often surprised when I tell them I incubate and hatch my button quail eggs standing upright.
Most incubation guides assume every egg should be laid on its side during incubation. While that certainly works, it isn't the only successful method. After working with button quail, I found that keeping the eggs upright throughout the entire process simplified my routine and produced excellent hatch results. Rather than changing positions at lockdown, my eggs remain upright from the day they enter the incubator until the chicks emerge.
One advantage is that I'm handling the eggs less. Once they're properly placed, there's very little reason to disturb them until hatch.
Why I Don't Candle Button Quail Eggs
Candling is a valuable tool with larger poultry eggs, but button quail eggs are another story.
They're extremely small, often heavily marked, and difficult to evaluate accurately. Even with a bright candler, it can be challenging to determine what's happening inside the shell.
Rather than repeatedly handling tiny eggs trying to evaluate development, I simply let the incubator do its job. As long as the eggs were collected properly, stored correctly, and came from healthy breeding stock, I don't find candling necessary in my own program.
For me, less handling usually means fewer opportunities to accidentally damage these delicate eggs.
Temperature and Humidity
I incubate my button quail eggs at 99.5°F with approximately 40% relative humidity.
Like all incubation, consistency is more important than chasing small fluctuations. A reliable incubator that maintains stable conditions will almost always outperform one that's constantly being adjusted.
Good incubation begins long before eggs ever enter the incubator. Healthy breeders, proper egg handling, and careful storage all contribute to successful hatches.
Don't Leave Chicks in the Incubator Too Long
One lesson I've learned over the years is that button quail chicks don't have much time to waste once they've hatched.
Because they're so tiny, they have incredibly fast metabolisms. While newly hatched chicks absorb their yolk before hatch, they still need access to feed and fresh water sooner than many larger poultry species.
I try to move my button quail chicks into a warm, prepared brooder within about 24 to 36 hours after hatch. Waiting much longer simply isn't something I'm comfortable doing. Having the brooder completely ready before hatch day means I can transfer them quickly and get them eating and drinking as soon as possible.
Jennifer's Experience at Bryant's Roost
One of the biggest changes I made over the years was simplifying my incubation routine.
Early on, I felt like I needed to follow every step I read online—candling, changing egg positions, constantly checking development. The more button quail I hatched, the more I realized that these tiny eggs actually benefited from being left alone.
Today my process is straightforward. The eggs stay upright, I don't candle them, and once those little chicks hatch, my focus shifts immediately to getting them into a warm brooder with fresh feed and water. Sometimes the simplest routine turns out to be the most reliable.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Constantly opening the incubator to check eggs.
Trying to candle every egg.
Handling eggs more than necessary.
Waiting too long to prepare the brooder.
Leaving newly hatched chicks in the incubator for several days.
Assuming button quail chicks have the same reserves as larger poultry species.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do button quail eggs incubate?
Incubation typically takes around 16–18 days, although hatch timing can vary slightly depending on incubation conditions.
Do button quail eggs need to be laid on their side?
Not necessarily. At Bryant's Roost, I incubate and hatch my eggs upright with excellent results.
Should I candle button quail eggs?
You can, but I don't. Their tiny size and shell markings make candling difficult, and I've found it unnecessary in my own incubation program.
What humidity do you use?
I incubate at approximately 40% relative humidity and focus on maintaining stable conditions rather than constantly making adjustments.
How soon should chicks be moved to the brooder?
I move mine within about 24–36 hours after hatch so they can begin eating and drinking. Because of their tiny size and fast metabolism, I don't like leaving them in the incubator any longer than necessary.
Related Articles
Complete Button Quail Care Guide
Button Quail Housing and Space Requirements
Preparing a Brooder for Button Quail Chicks
Feeding Button Quail Chicks
Common Button Quail Incubation Problems
Recommended Product
Button Quail Starter Feed
Healthy chicks need more than a successful hatch. Having a quality starter feed ready before hatch day helps them get off to the best possible start once they're moved to the brooder.
Sources
Bryant's Roost incubation records and firsthand experience with button quail.
Standard poultry incubation principles.
Current university and avian incubation references.
From Bryant's Roost
Incubation is one of those subjects where you'll find a hundred different methods online. This article isn't the only way to hatch button quail—it's the method I've settled on after hatching my own birds and refining the process over time. If my routine changes because I discover a better way, I'll update this article so you're learning right alongside me.