Care & Hatching Guide for Quail and Silkies
🟫 COTURNIX QUAIL – HATCHING & CARE GUIDE
1. Egg Storage & Preparation
Store eggs pointy side down at 55–65°F before incubation.
Do NOT wash eggs.
2. Incubator Settings for Coturnix
Temperature: 99.5°F (forced air) or 100°F (still air)
Humidity: 40–45% for days 1–14
Turning: At least 3–5 times daily until lockdown unless your incubator does this automatically
Ventilation: Keep vents open for fresh oxygen
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3. Lockdown (Day 15)
Increase humidity to 70–75%
Stop turning eggs
Keep incubator closed to prevent membrane shrink-wrapping
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4. Hatch Day (Days 17–19)
Quail usually hatch on day 17–18, sometimes day 19.
Chicks may rest for hours after pipping — this is normal.
Do NOT assist unless:
The chick externally pipped 24+ hours ago, AND
The membrane is dry and stuck to the chick
Keep them in the incubator til all chicks have hatched and dried off fully
5. Brooder Setup
Temperature: 95°F the first week
Lower 5°F per week until fully feathered
Bedding:
First 3–5 days: paper towels
After: pine shavings (never cedar)
Heat Source: Heat plate or heat lamp (red bulb preferred)
Feed: 28–30% protein game bird starter
Water: Use quail-safe waterers or add marbles/pebbles to prevent drowning
6. Growth Timeline
1–3 days: extremely small and fragile
1 week: more active, starting to feather
3 weeks: nearly fully feathered
5–6 weeks: laying age for hens
6–8 weeks: butchering size
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7. Adult Quail Care
Feed: 20–24% protein layer feed
Grit: Optional for quail unless giving treats
Housing: Predator-proof aviary, cages, or pens
Male ratio: 1 rooster for every 3–5 hens
Lighting: Minimum 14 hours of light = consistent laying
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🟫 SILKIE CHICKENS – HATCHING & CARE GUIDE
1. Egg Storage & Handling
Avoid washing — natural bloom protects them
2. Incubator Settings for Silkies
Temperature: 99.5°F (forced air)
Humidity: 45–50% for days 1–18
Turning: Minimum 3–5 times a day
Candling: Check at:
Day 7
Day 14
Day 18 (before lockdown)
3. Lockdown (Day 18)
Increase humidity to 65–75%
Stop turning eggs
Don’t open the incubator unless necessary
Make sure air vents are open
4. Hatch Day (Days 20–21)
Silkies often take the full 21 days
Sometimes hatch late (day 22–23)
Assist only if:
External pip is 24+ hours with no progress
Membrane appears dry and brown
Blood vessels have receded
5. Silkie Brooder Care
Temperature:
Week 1: 95°F
Drop 5°F weekly
Bedding:
Start with paper towels
Switch to pine shavings after 5 days
Heat Source: Preferably a heat plate (prevents pasty butt)
Feed: 18–20% starter for chicks
Water: Shallow waterers with pebbles to prevent drowning
6. Growth Timeline
Silkies feather slowly
0–3 weeks: fluffy and fragile
4–6 weeks: starting to fluff out more
8 weeks: fully feathered
6 - 9 months: laying age
Silkies often go broody — they LOVE to hatch eggs
7. Adult Silkie Care
Feed: 16–18% layer feed
Space: Minimum 4 sq. ft. per bird
Coop: Dry, draft-free, predator-proof
Roosts: Keep low — Silkies can’t fly well
Behavior: Calm, gentle, great for kids and pets
Breeding Ratio: 1 rooster for every 6–8 hens
