If you want to hatch your own quail but don’t have any breeding birds, buying quail hatching eggs online might be the solution for you. In this post, I’ll talk about the things to consider when ordering quail eggs online and having them shipped to you.
Hatching quail eggs at home:
Hatching quail eggs at home is a lot of fun! It allows you to experience the wonder of new life without the need for a breeding quail flock. Though you can often buy eggs locally, online suppliers often offer a diverse range of quail bloodlines and colors. This provides the opportunity to explore different characteristics and unique traits in your hatchlings. Hatching eggs at home is an educational experience, perfect for kids or anyone eager to witness the fascinating process from egg to chick. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve spent hours staring into my incubator!
Sources to buy eggs online:
- Ebay: many sellers utilize Ebay to sell eggs. I’ve found many interesting new lines on this site to bring in genetic diversity to the breeders I already have.
- Etsy: most quail eggs on Etsy seem to being sold to eat, but there are also some available for hatching. I’ve had worse luck here than Ebay as both times I tried to order the seller ghosted me.
- Craigslist: Craigslist usually has both local suppliers of eggs and out of state sellers who will ship to you.
- Individual websites: many quail breeders have their own site set up for orders. A Google search will turn up many of these.
How to order quail eggs:
If using a site with reviews such as Ebay or Etsy, look for suppliers with positive reviews and a track record of delivering viable, fertile eggs for hatching. Be sure you are NOT purchasing eggs intended for eating, as those will have been handled and stored differently than hatching eggs, and may not have been fertilized in the first place. Eggs for eating will often be much cheaper than hatching eggs. You can generally expect to pay $1-$2 per egg for fertile hatching eggs, sometimes more for a rarer coloration or line.
Carefully review the supplier’s shipping and handling policies to ensure the eggs will be well-packaged and delivered in optimal condition. Suppliers will not usually guarantee hatch numbers or viability but will usually offer at least the guarantee that eggs will arrive unbroken.
Plan to order more than you need. The shipping process will render some of the eggs unviable. I usually expect a hatch rate of about 50% when shipping eggs in, versus the 70% or higher I expect from eggs that have not been shipped.
Hazards of Shipping:
Quail eggs are fairly resilient, but they’re not indestructible. Temperature shifts, rough handling, and X-ray machines are just a few of the hazards eggs face in shipping. Opt for expedited shipping if available to minimize travel time and ask the supplier about their packaging methods. Properly packed eggs are immobilized to withstand the postal system’s roller coaster. The most common packing method is sheets of thick foam with a hole cut for each egg, placed tightly into a box with extra foam on all sides. Having ordered hundreds of eggs online through the years, I’ve only had one box arrive with a good amount broken. Still, brace yourself for the possibility of casualties—nature and courier services can both be unforgiving. It is best to hold off ordering if your temperatures are extreme, whether very hot or very cold. If you do receive damaged eggs, save the packaging, take photos, and contact the seller to let them know.
Prepare for arrival:
Plan to have your incubator up and running at the right temperature and humidity for around 24 hours prior to the eggs arriving. Quail eggs typically incubate at 99.5°F with varying schools of thought on humidity. The 24-hour pre-run will ensure that temps are up to par and holding steadily. If it is a new incubator, I run it a few days before putting eggs in.
Handling with care:
Bring your eggs inside immediately upon arrival but resist the urge to immediately pop them into the incubator. It’s best to let them settle at room temperature for a few hours (I do 8-12). Unpack them and be sure they spend the rest period pointy end down. This helps the air cell inside the egg to stabilize. I do this by taking the foam sheets out of the box, but leaving the eggs in the foam and setting them pointy side down somewhere safe until I’m ready to put them in the incubator.
After the rest period, they are ready to go in the already up-and-running incubator. Check each egg for cracks as you carefully remove them from the packing and discard any that are damaged as they will only rot in the incubator. Seventeen days from now you should be hatching your quail chicks!
Buying quail eggs for hatching via mail order can open up new opportunities for backyard quail enthusiasts. By choosing the right supplier, preparing adequately for the eggs’ arrival, and carefully managing the incubation process, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful hatch. Remember, patience and attention to detail are key. Happy hatching!