How many days do quail eggs take to hatch?

Coturnix quail eggs usually hatch in about 17 to 18 days. Bobwhite quail eggs often take about 23 days, while Button quail are commonly around 16 days and California or Gambel quail are commonly around 22 to 23 days.

When is lockdown for quail eggs?

For Coturnix quail, lockdown commonly starts around day 14 or 15, about three days before the expected hatch. The calculator works backward from the hatch date for each quail type.

When should I candle quail eggs?

Because quail eggs are small and often speckled, candling can be harder than chicken eggs. Common checkpoints are around day 7 and just before lockdown if the shells allow a clear view.

Quail Egg Incubation Calculator

Calculate your quail egg hatch date

Enter the day your quail eggs were set to get the expected hatch day, lockdown date, candling reminders, and a practical chick estimate.

Expected hatch date — 17-day Coturnix quail timeline

Eggs set date Quail type / incubation length

Number of eggs set Expected hatch rate

Incubation style Display dates as

How to use this quail egg incubation calculator

Choose the date the eggs were placed in the incubator or under a broody hen, then pick the quail type that best matches your eggs. The calculator adds the incubation length to estimate hatch day and works backward to show lockdown.

Use the 17- or 18-day setting for Coturnix quail. Use the Bobwhite option for a longer game-bird timeline, or choose a custom day count if your breeder or incubator instructions use a different schedule.

Quick quail egg incubation examples

Coturnix eggs set April 1: expected hatch is around April 18 on a 17-day schedule, with lockdown around April 15.
Bobwhite eggs set April 1: expected hatch is around April 24, with lockdown around April 21.
24 eggs at a 70% hatch rate: plan for about 17 chicks, with a realistic range shown in the results.

Quail egg incubation reminders

Quail eggs are small, so steady temperature, humidity, clean handling, and reliable turning matter. Stop turning at lockdown, raise humidity according to your incubator instructions, and avoid opening the incubator during the hatch window unless necessary.

FAQ

Do quail eggs always hatch exactly on day 17?

No. Coturnix quail often hatch around day 17 or 18, but timing can shift with temperature stability, egg age, humidity, fertility, shipping stress, and shell thickness.

Are Bobwhite quail eggs different from Coturnix eggs?

Yes. Bobwhite quail eggs usually take longer, commonly around 23 days. Select the Bobwhite option to get the longer hatch timeline.

When should I stop turning quail eggs?

For many quail hatches, turning stops at lockdown, commonly about three days before hatch. The calculator shows the lockdown date based on the incubation length you choose.