Quail eggs hatch fast: Coturnix (Japanese) quail incubate for about 17–18 days, Bobwhite quail for about 23 days, and Button quail for roughly 16 days, all at a steady 99.5°F (37.5°C) in a forced-air incubator (Mississippi State University Extension). Enter your set date and species in the calculator above to get your exact hatch date, lockdown day, and candling schedule—then use the quail egg incubation chart below to dial in temperature and humidity.
The number the calculator uses
The tool counts forward from the day you set your eggs using the species incubation period, then works backward three days to mark lockdown (when you stop turning and raise humidity). Coturnix is the most common backyard quail, and hatcheries consistently cite an 18-day average, hatching as early as day 16 or as late as day 20 depending on incubator quality (Meyer Hatchery). Because real hatches spread across a day or two, the calculator shows both a single expected hatch date and a wider hatch window.
How long is the quail incubation period?
Quail have one of the shortest incubation periods in poultry, but it varies by species. Coturnix quail incubation time runs 17–18 days (some sources cite 17 as the average, most hatcheries 18), with a normal window of 16–20 days. Bobwhite quail take noticeably longer at about 23 days, and their close relative the California quail is similar at 22–23 days. Button quail (also called King or Chinese-painted quail) are the quickest, hatching in about 16 days (Incubator Warehouse). Egg storage and incubator temperature stability both nudge these numbers—cooler running tends to delay hatch, warmer running can rush it.
Quail egg incubation chart: temperature, humidity & lockdown
Temperature is the same for every quail species—99.5°F (37.5°C) in a forced-air incubator, or closer to 101°F measured at the top of the eggs in a still-air unit. What changes between species is the humidity band, the lockdown day, and the total days to hatch. Use this quail incubation chart as your quick reference:
| Species | Incubation (days) | Temp (forced-air) | Humidity (days 1–lockdown) | Lockdown humidity | Stop turning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coturnix (Japanese) | 17–18 | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 45–55% | 65–70% | Day 15 |
| Bobwhite (Northern) | 23 | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 40–45% | 65–70% | Day 21 |
| Button / King | 16 | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 50–55% | 60–70% | Day 14 |
| California (Valley) | 22–23 | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 45–55% | 65–70% | Day 20 |
Throughout incubation, turn eggs 3–5 times a day (an automatic turner is easiest), then stop at lockdown so chicks can position themselves to hatch (NW Quail Farm). The most common cause of a failed quail hatch is incorrect humidity—too high early prevents the air cell from forming, too low at lockdown dries the membrane and traps the chick, so a calibrated hygrometer at egg level is worth more than the incubator’s built-in readout (Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm).
How to use the quail hatch date calculator
- Choose your quail species (Coturnix, Bobwhite, Button, or California).
- Enter the date you set the eggs in the incubator—it defaults to today.
- Read your expected hatch date and hatch window at the top of the result.
- Note the lockdown date—stop turning and raise humidity to 65–70% that day.
- Use the candling dates to check fertility around day 7 and again just before lockdown.
- Print or save the schedule so you can mark your calendar.
BarnCalc · Quail
Quail Egg Incubation & Hatch Date Calculator
Pick a species and set date to get your hatch day, lockdown day, and candling schedule.
Expected hatch date
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Lockdown (stop turning)
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Temp / Humidity
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Total days
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| Milestone | Date |
|---|
Quail incubation chart — all species
| Species | Days | Temp | Humidity → lockdown | Stop turning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coturnix (Japanese) | 17–18 | 99.5°F | 45–55% → 65–70% | Day 15 |
| Bobwhite (Northern) | 23 | 99.5°F | 40–45% → 65–70% | Day 21 |
| Button / King | 16 | 99.5°F | 50–55% → 60–70% | Day 14 |
| California (Valley) | 22–23 | 99.5°F | 45–55% → 65–70% | Day 20 |
How it works: Expected hatch = set date + the species incubation period. Lockdown is the final 3 days (stop turning, raise humidity). The hatch window reflects normal biological variation of ±1–2 days.
Disclaimer: Estimates for planning only, not veterinary advice. Real hatch dates vary with egg storage, incubator accuracy, and temperature stability. Keep records and consult a vet or extension office with concerns.
Sources: Mississippi State Univ. Extension, Meyer Hatchery, Incubator Warehouse, NW Quail Farm.
Quail incubation FAQ
How long does it take to incubate quail eggs? Coturnix quail take 17–18 days, Bobwhite about 23 days, and Button quail around 16 days, all at 99.5°F (MSU Extension).
What temperature and humidity do quail eggs need? Hold 99.5°F (37.5°C) forced-air for all species. Keep humidity around 45–55% for most of incubation (Bobwhite a little drier at 40–45%, Button a little higher at 50–55%), then raise it to 65–70% for the final three days.
When do you stop turning quail eggs? At lockdown—the last three days before hatch. For Coturnix that’s about day 15, for Bobwhite about day 21. Stop turning and don’t open the incubator so humidity stays stable.
How long can quail chicks stay in the incubator after hatching? Leave them until they’re dry and fluffy—usually 12–24 hours. They can safely remain up to about 36–48 hours on their absorbed yolk, but game-bird chicks have small reserves, so move them to a warm brooder with food and water within a day (Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm).
Can you candle quail eggs? Yes—candle around day 7 to spot clears (infertile eggs) and again just before lockdown to confirm development. Coturnix and speckled shells are harder to see through than white Bobwhite eggs, so use a bright LED candler in a dark room and work quickly.
Why didn’t all my eggs hatch on the same day? A spread of a day or two is normal. Egg storage, small temperature differences, and hot or cold spots in the incubator all shift individual eggs within the hatch window.
Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension — Incubation duration periods: https://extension.msstate.edu/agriculture/livestock/poultry/incubation-duration-periods
- Meyer Hatchery — Guide to Incubating and Hatching Coturnix Quail Eggs: https://meyerhatchery.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4425127725197-Guide-To-Incubating-and-Hatching-Coturnix-Quail-Eggs
- Incubator Warehouse — Quail Egg Incubation Temperature Chart: https://incubatorwarehouse.com/blogs/poultry-pals/quail-egg-incubation-temperature-chart
- Incubator Warehouse — Bobwhite Quail Egg Incubation Guide: https://incubatorwarehouse.com/blogs/poultry-pals/bobwhite-quail-egg-incubation-guide
- NW Quail Farm — Hatching Coturnix Quail Eggs: https://nwquailfarm.com/blogs/news/hatching-coturnix-quail-eggs-a-complete-guide
- Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm — Humidity & Temperature for Quail Eggs: https://forgetmenotquailfarm.com/humidity-temperature-quail-egg-incubation/
Reviewed for accuracy against Mississippi State University Extension, Meyer Hatchery, and Incubator Warehouse incubation guidance. Last updated: July 16, 2026.
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