How are quail eggs fertilized?

Quail eggs are fertilized in the same way as other bird eggs, through internal fertilization. Here's how it works:

1. Mating: Male quails court females and, if successful, they will mate. During mating, the male transfers sperm into the female's cloaca, the common opening for the reproductive and excretory systems.

2. Fertilization: The sperm travels up the female's oviduct, where it encounters an egg that has been released from the ovary. If one of the sperm successfully fertilizes the egg, the egg is now a zygote, the first stage of development.

3. Development: The fertilized egg continues its journey down the oviduct, where it receives nutrients and develops a shell. This process takes around 16-18 hours in quails.

4. Laying: The fully developed, fertilized egg is laid by the female.

It's important to note that not all quail eggs are fertilized. This depends on several factors, including the frequency of mating, the health of the quail, and the availability of nesting materials.

Unfertilized quail eggs can still be eaten and are considered a good source of nutrients. However, fertilized eggs can be incubated to hatch chicks.