How Do You Hatch Chicken Eggs in an Incubator in 10 Essential Steps?
To hatch chicken eggs in an incubator successfully, start by choosing fertile, clean eggs. Set your incubator to 99.5°F with 50-55% humidity to create the ideal environment for development.
Place the eggs pointed end down inside the incubator. Turn them gently three times daily until day 18 to ensure even warming.
Candle the eggs on days 7 and 14 to check the progress of the embryo’s development. This helps identify any non-viable eggs early on.
On day 18, stop turning the eggs and increase the humidity to around 70%. This higher humidity aids the hatching process.
Keep the incubator closed during hatching to maintain stable conditions. Once the chicks hatch, move them to a warm brooder to keep them safe and comfortable.
Following these essential steps guarantees a successful hatch. Learn how to handle each step properly to optimize your incubation results.
Choose Fertile Chicken Eggs for Incubation
To hatch healthy chicks, you need fertile chicken eggs, which come only from hens housed with roosters—store-bought eggs usually aren’t fertile. When choosing eggs for your incubator, focus on obtaining fertile eggs from NPIP-certified flocks to minimize disease risks.
During egg selection, inspect for cleanliness and avoid cracked shells. Proper storage conditions are essential: keep eggs at 55-60°F with high humidity, store them pointed end down, and never refrigerate.
Handle eggs gently with clean hands or gloves to protect the delicate air cell inside, which is critical for embryo development. If your eggs arrive by mail, let them rest for 24 hours before setting them in the incubator. This resting period allows the air cell to stabilize, improving hatch rates and ensuring better results.
Clean and Set Up Your Incubator Properly
After selecting fertile eggs, the next step is preparing your incubator carefully. Start by thoroughly cleaning and sterilizing the incubator using warm soapy water, rinsing well, then disinfecting with a 10% bleach solution. Let it air dry completely to prevent contamination.
For proper incubator setup, calibrate and test temperature and humidity sensors to ensure accuracy. Run the incubator for at least 24 hours to stabilize conditions. Place it in a draft-free area away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations.
Fill water trays to maintain humidity control around 50-55%, using a hygrometer to monitor levels. Finally, install and check the automatic turner, ensuring all components work properly and the temperature is steady at about 99.5°F before you start incubation.
Place Eggs Pointed End Down and Start Incubation
You’ll want to place each egg pointed end down to keep the embryo properly positioned and the air cell stable.
Make sure your incubator’s temperature is set correctly and the humidity is at the right level to support development.
Starting with these steps sets a strong foundation for successful hatching.
Proper Egg Orientation
When you place fertilized eggs in the incubator, make sure the pointed end faces downward to keep the air cell properly positioned and support healthy embryo development. Proper egg orientation is vital for a successful hatch process. During your incubator setup, mark each egg on both sides with a pencil to track turning and maintain consistent placement.
Turning eggs at least 3-5 times daily prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell membranes and promotes even development. Be gentle and avoid excessive handling to protect the embryo and preserve the correct orientation. Remember, once lockdown day arrives, stop turning eggs and keep them in the same position so the embryo can prepare to hatch.
Consistent egg orientation and careful turning ensure healthy embryo development throughout incubation.
Incubator Temperature Settings
Although proper egg orientation is essential, setting the incubator temperature correctly is just as crucial for a successful hatch. Maintaining the right incubator temperature ensures ideal embryo development and improves your hatch rate.
Here’s what you need to focus on during the incubation process:
- Set the incubator temperature to about 99.5°F (37.5°C) for ideal egg temperature.
- Use a reliable thermometer to monitor and maintain steady temperature control.
- Place eggs pointed end down to keep the air cell in the right position.
- Ensure any automatic turner is working properly to gently rotate eggs, avoiding turning in the last days.
Consistent temperature control throughout incubation prevents embryo stress and maximizes hatch success. Keep a close eye on the temperature to give your eggs the best start.
Initial Humidity Levels
Since maintaining proper humidity is essential for embryo development, start by setting the incubator’s humidity between 45% and 55% during the first 18 days. Place eggs pointed end down in the incubator to keep the air cell properly oriented.
Begin incubation by turning the eggs at least three times daily to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. Maintaining stable initial humidity levels helps ensure healthy growth and prevents dehydration.
| Day Range | Temperature (°F) | Humidity (%) | Egg Position | Turning Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 18 | 99.5 | 45 – 55 | Pointed end down | At least 3 times daily |
| 19 – Hatch Day | 99.5 | ~70 | Pointed end down | Stop turning |
Keep the incubator closed to maintain consistent humidity and temperature during incubation.
Turn Eggs Regularly in the Incubator
You need to turn your eggs regularly to keep the embryos from sticking to the shell, ideally at least three times a day during incubation.
You can choose to do this manually with gentle, consistent motion or use an automatic turner for convenience and consistency.
Remember to stop turning on day 19 to let the chicks hatch without disturbance.
Importance Of Egg Turning
When you turn eggs regularly in the incubator, you help keep the embryo centered and prevent it from sticking to the shell. Proper egg turning is vital for healthy embryo development and increases hatch success rates. Using an automatic egg turner simplifies this process by ensuring consistent rotation multiple times a day.
Remember to stop turning eggs on day 18 during the lockdown phase to allow the embryo to position itself for hatching. Key benefits of egg turning include:
- Preventing embryo adhesion to the shell
- Promoting healthy blood vessel development
- Ensuring even heat distribution inside the incubator
- Reducing manual handling stress on fragile eggs
Frequency And Timing
Regularly turning eggs in the incubator supports healthy embryo growth and prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell. During the incubation period, you should turn eggs at least three times daily, but five times is ideal to mimic natural brooding and improve development.
Mark each egg with a pencil to track turning and avoid rotating them in the wrong direction. Remember to stop turning eggs on day 19, known as lockdown, so the embryo can position itself for hatching.
Using an automatic turner can help maintain consistent turning frequency and reduce manual effort, especially as the hatch date approaches. Proper frequency and timing of turning eggs are vital steps to ensure healthy chicks emerge from your incubator.
Manual Vs Automatic Turning
Although manual turning demands that you handle eggs gently at least three times daily, ideally five, automatic turners simplify the process by rotating eggs consistently and with minimal disturbance. When using manual turning in your incubator, you must be careful to avoid damaging the embryo, ensuring proper embryo development.
Automatic turners, on the other hand, handle egg rotation precisely and reduce human error.
Consider these points when choosing between manual turning and automatic turners:
- Manual turning requires frequent, gentle handling of eggs
- Automatic turners rotate eggs at set intervals automatically
- Incubators with automatic turners save time and labor
- Consistent turning prevents embryos from sticking and promotes development
Both methods support healthy embryo development, but automatic turners make egg rotation easier and more reliable.
Candle Eggs on Days 7 and 14 to Check Development
Because candling eggs on days 7 and 14 helps you monitor embryo development, you can easily identify which eggs are fertile and growing properly. Use a bright light or candling device to shine through the shell gently, holding the egg at a slight angle to see inside clearly.
On day 7, look for blood vessels and a developing embryo—signs of fertile eggs progressing well. By day 14, the embryo should be more distinct. If you see clear eggs with no development or quitters, remove them promptly to prevent contamination.
Mark your observations with a pencil on the shell to track progress. Candling on these specific days guarantees you keep only healthy, developing eggs in the incubator, improving your hatch rate effectively.
Monitor Temperature and Humidity During Incubation
To guarantee your embryos develop properly, you need to keep the incubator’s temperature steady at around 99.5°F (37.5°C) and monitor humidity closely. Consistent temperature and humidity create the ideal environment for healthy hatching. Regular monitoring and calibration of your devices ensure accurate readings and stable conditions.
Remember to avoid opening the incubator too often to prevent fluctuations.
Here’s what you should focus on:
- Maintain temperature near 99.5°F (37.5°C) at all times
- Keep humidity between 50-55% during incubation
- Use a reliable hygrometer and calibrate it regularly
- Adjust humidity gradually by adding or removing water in trays
Increase Humidity and Stop Turning Eggs on Day 18
On day 18, you’ll want to stop turning the eggs so the embryos can position themselves for hatching.
At the same time, increase the humidity to around 70% to help chicks break through their shells.
Make sure to keep the incubator closed and stable during this essential phase.
Adjust Humidity Levels
How do you guarantee your chicks hatch healthy and strong during the final days of incubation? You adjust humidity levels carefully as you enter lockdown on day 18. Increasing humidity to around 70% helps prevent the chicks from drying out and eases hatching.
To do this effectively, you should:
- Add extra water to the incubator’s humidity channels or trays
- Keep the incubator lid closed to maintain steady humidity and temperature
- Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels closely
- Avoid opening the incubator unnecessarily during lockdown
Cease Egg Turning
Once you reach day 18, you’ll need to stop turning the eggs and turn off the automatic egg turner to let the embryos settle into position for hatching. This step is pivotal in the incubation process as it allows proper embryo positioning necessary for a successful hatch.
At this lockdown stage, cease egg turning entirely and increase humidity levels to around 70% to create an ideal humid environment. You should also slightly reduce the temperature if your incubator allows, typically to about 99°F.
Avoid opening the incubator frequently during lockdown to maintain stable humidity and temperature. By carefully managing these conditions and stopping egg rotation, you give your developing chicks the best chance to hatch strong and healthy.
Spot Hatching Signs and Keep the Incubator Closed
As the final days of incubation approach, you’ll notice chicks starting to peck at their shells, creating small pips that signal they’re ready to hatch. These hatching signs mean it’s essential to keep the incubator closed to maintain the right humidity and temperature. Opening it can disrupt this delicate balance and harm the chicks.
Listen closely for peeping sounds, indicating healthy chicks inside. Watch for these signs:
- Small pip holes appearing on the shell
- Continuous pecking or “zipping” around the shell
- Steady peeping noises from within
- Visible moisture inside the shell due to maintained humidity
Provide Warm Brooder Care With Food and Water After Hatch
Although the chicks have just hatched, you need to provide a warm brooder environment with a steady temperature between 90 and 95°F to help them thrive during their first week. Keep the brooder temperature consistent, lowering it gradually as chicks grow.
Always offer fresh, clean water in shallow dishes or secure waterers to prevent drowning. Provide chick starter food free-choice, choosing a high-protein feed (around 20%) to support their growth.
Ensure bedding, like pine shavings, stays dry and deep enough for chicks to nestle comfortably. Monitor your chicks regularly for signs of dehydration or distress, adjusting water access and temperature as needed.
Handle Unhatched Eggs and Extend Incubation When Needed
After providing proper care for your newly hatched chicks, it’s important to turn your attention to any eggs that haven’t hatched by day 21. You can extend incubation up to day 23 to boost hatch chances. Carefully candle unhatched eggs to check for embryo development before deciding what to do next.
Handle eggs gently and avoid opening the incubator too often to keep temperature and humidity stable. Follow these steps to manage unhatched eggs:
- Candle eggs to detect signs of life or development
- Extend incubation cautiously up to day 23
- Discard eggs showing no movement or embryo development
- Remove nonviable eggs promptly to prevent mold or bacteria
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Hatch Chickens in an Incubator Step by Step?
You’ll set the incubator to 99.5°F, keep humidity at 50-55%, turn eggs thrice daily, candle to check development.
Stop turning on day 18, increase humidity, then wait for chicks to hatch and dry before moving them.
How to Operate an Incubator Step by Step?
First, pretend you’re a thermostat whisperer—set 99.5°F, keep humidity steady, and turn eggs thrice daily until day 18.
Then, lock the door, boost humidity, and resist peeking—chicks hate paparazzi.
What Are the Steps of Hatching Eggs?
You set eggs pointed end down, turn thrice daily, keep temperature at 99.5°F, humidity 50-55%, stop turning day 19, raise humidity to 70%, then wait for chicks to hatch naturally around day 21.
How Many Times a Day Should I Turn Eggs in the Incubator?
You should turn your eggs at least three times a day, but five times is ideal for healthy development.
Stop turning after day 18 to let the chicks position themselves for hatching during lockdown.
Conclusion
By choosing fertile eggs, setting up your incubator right, and turning eggs regularly, you set the stage for success.
By candling on days 7 and 14, increasing humidity on day 18, and spotting hatching signs, you stay on track.
By keeping the incubator closed and providing warm brooder care, you guarantee healthy chicks.
Finally, by handling unhatched eggs thoughtfully, you complete the process.
Follow these steps, and you’ll enjoy the rewarding journey of hatching chicks in an incubator, ensuring the best environment for your eggs to hatch successfully.
