You’ve probably seen the videos. Someone is holding a tiny, fragile egg—usually a quail egg they picked up at a high-end grocery store like Whole Foods or a local specialty market—and they’re trying to breathe life into it. It’s the growing up hatch challenge, and honestly, it’s one of the few corners of the internet that feels genuinely wholesome and scientifically fascinating at the same time.
People are basically becoming DIY avian parents.
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It’s not just about the "cute" factor. There is something deeply human about wanting to see if a refrigerated, mass-produced egg can actually turn into a living, chirping creature. Most people assume that once an egg hits the grocery store shelf, it’s "dead" or unfertilized. Usually, they're right. But with quail eggs, the rules are a little different. Because of how quail farms operate—often keeping males and females in close proximity—there is a statistically significant chance that the egg in that little plastic carton is actually fertile.
What’s Really Happening Behind the Lens?
The growing up hatch challenge isn't just a TikTok gimmick; it’s a crash course in embryology. To get these eggs to hatch, creators have to mimic the exact conditions of a mother bird. That means maintaining a steady temperature of about 99.5°F and a specific humidity level, usually around 45% to 55% for the first 15 days. If you mess up the humidity, the membrane inside the egg gets too tough, and the chick can’t break out. It’s high stakes.
You see people using professional-grade incubators, but the "challenge" part often involves DIY setups. Think cardboard boxes, heat lamps, and a lot of prayer.
I’ve watched dozens of these journeys. Some end in heartbreak when an egg fails to develop, which is actually the most common outcome. Others end with a tiny, bumblebee-sized bird "zipping" through its shell. It’s intense. The moment that first crack—the "pip"—appears, the comment section usually loses its mind.
The Science of Why This Works
Let's get into the weeds for a second. Why quail? Why not chicken eggs?
Chicken eggs in standard supermarkets are almost never fertile because the hens are kept entirely separate from roosters. Quail are different. In many commercial quail egg operations, the birds are housed in colonies. Even when farmers try to keep them separate, a stray male often finds his way in. Also, quail eggs aren't always washed or refrigerated as aggressively as chicken eggs in some regions, which helps preserve the protective "bloom" on the shell. This bloom prevents bacteria from entering the pores.
Without that bloom, the embryo doesn't stand a chance.
When participants in the growing up hatch challenge buy these eggs, they are looking for "fertile" signs using a technique called candling. You take a high-intensity flashlight, hold it against the shell in a dark room, and look for veins. If you see a tiny "spider" of red veins after a few days in the incubator, you’ve got a live one. It’s a rush.
It’s Not All Sunshine and Chirps
We have to talk about the ethics. This is the part that gets messy.
What happens when the challenge ends? A quail can live for several years. They aren't just "content." They need specialized feed, space to dust bathe, and protection from predators. Many people who jump into the growing up hatch challenge aren't prepared for the "Growing Up" part. They have a bird in a shoebox in a Manhattan apartment and suddenly realize they’ve committed to a living being.
Experts like those at the Audubon Society or local avian rescues often warn that "spontaneous" hatching can lead to abandoned birds. Quail are social. You can't just have one; they get lonely and stressed. You really need a covey.
Then there’s the "failure to thrive" aspect. Not every chick that hatches is healthy. Genetic issues or improper incubation temperatures can lead to "splay leg" or other deformities. Watching a creator try to build a tiny splint out of a Band-Aid for a bird the size of a thumb is heart-wrenching. It’s a reality check that nature is fragile.
How to Actually Succeed If You’re Doing This
If you are actually going to try the growing up hatch challenge, don't just wing it. Doing it "for the 'gram" without prep is a recipe for a dead bird and a lot of guilt.
- Source the right eggs. Look for "fertile" quail eggs specifically, or if you're going the grocery store route, find the ones that haven't been kept in a deep freeze. Room temperature or lightly chilled is your best bet.
- Invest in a turner. Eggs need to be rotated several times a day to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. If you don't have an automatic turner, you are committed to flipping them by hand every few hours. Yes, even at 3 AM.
- The Lockdown Phase. Around day 15, you stop turning. This is "lockdown." You bump the humidity up to 65% or 70%. This softens the shell so the chick can get out. If you open the incubator during this time, you "shrink-wrap" the chick because the humidity drops instantly. Don't touch it.
- The Brooder Setup. You need a heat lamp and a safe space ready before the first pip. These birds are fast. The second they dry off, they are running.
The Reality of "Supermarket" Success
Statistically, the odds are against you. In a typical carton of 12 quail eggs from a store, you might get two or three that show signs of development. Out of those, maybe one actually hatches. It’s a numbers game.
But when it works? It’s wild.
You see this tiny thing, no bigger than a marble, emerge with full feathers and the ability to walk. It’s an evolutionary marvel. The growing up hatch challenge works as a trend because it taps into that basic "what if" curiosity. It turns a boring grocery trip into a literal life-and-death experiment.
Why the Trend Persists
Trends usually die in a week. This one keeps coming back every few months. Why? Because the payoff is a literal living animal. It’s the ultimate "unboxing" video.
There's also a community aspect. People share tips on Reddit threads and Discord servers about specific brands of eggs that seem to have higher fertility rates. It’s become a sort of crowdsourced biological database. Users track which batches from which distributors in which states are currently "hot."
Moving Forward with the Challenge
If you've followed the growing up hatch challenge and feel the itch to try it, start by researching your local laws. Some cities have strict ordinances about keeping poultry, even small birds like Coturnix quail.
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Next, find a local farm or a bird sanctuary that can take the chicks if you find yourself overwhelmed. Having a "Plan B" is the mark of a responsible creator.
Finally, document the failures too. The internet is full of the "wins," but the real educational value is in understanding why some eggs don't make it. It teaches respect for the process.
Next Steps for Potential Hatchers:
- Check your local ordinances to ensure keeping quail is legal in your specific zone; many urban areas allow them while others have strict "no poultry" rules.
- Purchase a calibrated hygrometer even if your incubator has a digital readout, as built-in sensors are notoriously inaccurate and a 5% humidity error can kill the embryos.
- Secure a high-protein "game bird starter" feed in advance, as standard chicken chick starter does not have the protein levels required for a rapidly growing quail.
- Locate an avian vet or an experienced local breeder who can provide advice if a chick emerges with a malposition or needs assistance during a difficult hatch.