How to Incubate Chicken and Coturnix Quail Eggs

Practical temperature, humidity, turning, lockdown, and troubleshooting guidance built from hands-on hatching experience.

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Chicken vs. Coturnix Quail Incubation

The basic incubation process is similar, but the timing is different. Use this quick comparison before setting your eggs.

Chicken Eggs

Hatch window
Approximately 21 days
Forced-air temperature
99.5°F at egg level
Stop turning
Around day 18
Hatch stage
Final three days

Coturnix Quail Eggs

Hatch window
Approximately 17–18 days
Forced-air temperature
99.5°F at egg level
Stop turning
Around day 14–15
Hatch stage
Final two to three days

Humidity note: Do not rely on one universal number. Incubator design, room humidity, eggshell characteristics, and air-cell development all affect moisture loss. Use these factors and your incubator manufacturer’s instructions to guide adjustments.

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The Incubation Process

Successful incubation is built on preparation, consistency, and leaving the eggs alone as much as possible.

1

Stabilize the Incubator

Run the empty incubator before setting eggs. Verify the temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turner operation.

2

Prepare the Eggs

Select clean, normally shaped eggs of an appropriate size. Avoid pullet eggs, double yolks, cracks, and damaged shells.

3

Set Them Correctly

Place eggs large end up in an upright turner or on their sides in a horizontal system. Never set eggs pointed end up.

4

Turn Consistently

Use smooth, regular turning throughout the setting period. Confirm that an automatic turner is actually moving.

5

Monitor the Machine

Watch the temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turner—not the eggs. Avoid unnecessary opening, handling, and disruption.

6

Prepare for Hatch

Stop turning at the correct time for the species. Remove the turner, use a nonslip hatching surface, and adjust humidity for hatch.

7

Let Them Hatch

Keep the incubator closed and allow the chicks time to complete the process. Avoid unnecessary intervention or repeatedly opening the lid.

8

Dry and Move to the Brooder

Allow chicks to become dry and fluffy before moving them into a warm, prepared brooder with appropriate feed and water.

Timing matters: Refer to the chicken and Coturnix quail comparison above for the correct stop-turning and hatch schedule.

Need exact dates for your hatch? Use the free egg incubation calculator to calculate your stop-turning, lockdown, and expected hatch dates.
Explore the Incubation Masterclass

Choosing the Right Incubator

The best incubator depends on how many eggs you set, how much control you want, and how much cleaning and maintenance you are willing to do.

This section contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Jennifer’s Preferred Incubator

Hatching Time CT60

Best for control and easy maintenance

Hatching Time incubators are what I currently use and recommend. The CT60 combines automatic turning with dependable temperature and humidity control in a compact cabinet.

  • Consistent temperature and humidity control
  • Automatic egg turning
  • Easy access for cleaning and maintenance
  • Suitable for chicken and quail eggs
  • Can function as both a setter and hatcher
Shop the Hatching Time CT60
High-Capacity Workhorse

GQF 1502

Best for high-volume hatching

I have owned and used several GQF cabinet incubators. They are nice, proven machines and are especially useful when sheer egg capacity is the priority.

  • Large capacity for serious hatching volume
  • Durable cabinet-style design
  • Particularly useful for quantity quail hatching
  • Humidity may require more hands-on management
  • The deep cabinet makes thorough cleaning more involved
Shop the GQF 1502
Budget-Friendly Tabletop

MaticoopX 20-Egg Incubator

Best for beginners and smaller hatches

A tabletop incubator is a practical place to begin. I prefer incubators with upright egg holders and smooth automatic turning, and the MaticoopX offers those features at a budget-friendly price.

  • Affordable entry-level option
  • Upright egg holders
  • Automatic egg turning
  • Good for smaller chicken or quail hatches
  • Verify its readings with an independent thermometer
Shop the MaticoopX Incubator

My honest recommendation: Choose Hatching Time when consistent control and easier cleaning are the priorities. Choose the GQF 1502 when capacity matters most. Choose a MaticoopX tabletop when you want an affordable way to begin with a smaller number of eggs.

Recommended Products

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Quick Look

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  • Refreshes every 10 seconds

  • Built-in stand and magnetic back

  • AAA battery included

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ThermoPro Incubator Thermometer & Hygrometer

Accurate temperature and humidity readings are essential for a successful hatch, and the ThermoPro Thermometer & Hygrometer is one of my favorite tools for monitoring an incubator.

Its compact size fits easily inside most incubators while providing readings with ±1°F temperature accuracy and ±3% relative humidity accuracy. The display refreshes every 10 seconds, allowing you to monitor changing conditions throughout incubation without constantly opening the incubator.

The built-in stand makes it easy to position inside your incubator, and when you're finished hatching, the magnetic back lets you store it conveniently on a refrigerator, cabinet, or other metal surface until your next hatch.

The thermometer operates on a single AAA battery, which is included, so it's ready to use right out of the package.

This is the same thermometer included in our Quail Starter Pack because it's simple, reliable, and easy for beginners and experienced hatchers alike.

What's Included

  • ThermoPro digital thermometer & hygrometer

  • AAA battery included

  • Built-in stand

  • Magnetic back

  • FREE Shipping

Who It's For

Perfect for chicken, quail, duck, turkey, and other poultry keepers who need an easy, accurate way to monitor incubator temperature and humidity.

Why Bryant's Roost?

I've tested a lot of incubation equipment over the years. This ThermoPro unit has earned a place in my starter kits because it's dependable, easy to read, and provides the information every hatcher needs without unnecessary complexity.

Amazon Basics UPS battery backup and surge protector
Hatch Protection

Battery Backup and Surge Protector

A short power outage can jeopardize an entire hatch. This UPS battery backup can temporarily power essential incubator controls and help protect sensitive equipment from voltage surges.

  • 600VA and 360W capacity
  • Eight electrical outlets
  • Battery backup and surge protection
  • Compact design for the hatch room

Important: This is intended to bridge a short outage and buy time to start a generator or make other arrangements. Runtime depends on the wattage of the equipment connected to it.

Check Current Price on Amazon

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  • No matter what species you are incubating, set the incubator at 99.5F or 37.8C.

  • Humidity is typically 40-50% however, consistency is most important. Aim for 40-50% but if you achieve 38 consistently, leave it at that.

  • When you first put them in, that is day 0, because they have been in there zero days.

    Lockdown day is roughly 3 days before hatch, but if you have a schedule conflict, make it sooner rather than later.

  • Quail are 17-18 days

    bobwhites are 22 days

    chickens are 21 days

    turkeys and ducks 28 days

  • When they are all dry and fluffy or the oldest is 48 hours. The chirping will call the others out.