I remember when I started raising backyard chickens. I wouldve honestly never considered hatching chicks…until a couple of years ago. I decided if I were going to educate backyard chicken owners on every aspect of raising backyard chickens, hatching chicks would be a fun thing to try!.
I had always wanted Silkies, so I ordered a dozen hatching eggs from Alabama Silkies. I had done my research on all the things I needed for hatching chicks. So, I purchased an incubator and got all of our supplies ready. Its very important to get your incubator up and running before you place your eggs. This will ensure the proper temperature and humidity needed for the growth and hatching of your chicks. I ran our incubator for 24 hours to make sure the temperature and humidity were holding.
Hatching chicken eggs and watching cute little chicks emerge is an incredibly rewarding experience for any backyard chicken keeper. However, there is a lot more to the process than just incubating eggs and waiting for them to hatch. Hatching success requires careful planning, proper equipment, and close monitoring throughout the 21-day incubation period.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about how chicken eggs hatch from selecting and preparing eggs to incubating, hatching, and caring for newborn chicks. Whether you’re using an incubator, a broody hen or both, follow these tips for the best results.
Choosing Eggs for Hatching
Not all eggs are created equal when it comes to hatchability. Here are some important factors to consider when selecting eggs for hatching:
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Breed: Different breeds are bred to lay different numbers of eggs, and some are better at hatching than others. Heritage breed eggs often have higher fertility rates.
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Age – Fresh eggs (7-10 days old) have better hatch rates than older eggs.
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Appearance – Avoid cracked, misshapen, extra large or very small eggs.
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Health of Hen – Eggs from hens that are stressed or unhealthy are less likely to be viable
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Storage Conditions – If eggs are stored over 1 week before incubating, store them pointy end down at 55°F and 75% humidity.
When possible, select eggs from healthy, well-cared for hens that have access to roosters. Fertility declines rapidly after 7-10 days of storage.
Using an Incubator
Incubators allow you to control temperature, humidity, ventilation and egg turning – all critical factors for hatching success. Here are some incubator tips:
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Set temperature between 99-100°F with less than 1°F fluctuation.
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Maintain humidity around 60%. Increase to 65% in last 3 days.
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Ensure adequate ventilation without drafts.
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Turn eggs at least 3 times daily until day 18.
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Candle eggs after 1 week to check for viability. Remove any infertiles.
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Stop turning eggs on day 18 and increase humidity.
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Resist opening incubator near hatch time.
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Prepare a clean brooder for chicks before hatching begins.
With good sanitation and following incubator guidelines, you can achieve excellent hatch rates. Be patient – let chicks fully hatch and dry off before removing them from the incubator.
Using a Broody Hen
For a natural hatching experience, a broody hen can’t be beat. Some things to know:
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Certain breeds like Silkies, Cochins and Orpingtons are most likely to go broody.
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Provide a secluded, draft-free nesting area with soft bedding.
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Place eggs under hen at night to avoid disturbing her.
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Don’t disturb the hen but do check eggs for viability after 1 week.
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Ensure she has access to food and water nearby.
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Prepare a brooder for chicks a few days before hatch.
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Resist helping chicks hatch – the hen knows what to do!
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Let the hen care for her new family undisturbed for at least 24 hours.
Trust the hen’s natural instincts and resist interfering too much. Just provide for her basic needs while she takes care of the rest!
Egg Development During Incubation
Understanding what’s happening inside the egg during incubation can help ensure you provide optimal conditions for embryo development:
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Days 1-2 – The embryo begins developing, while the egg absorbs heat.
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Days 3-4 – Blood vessels and eye spots become visible. The neural tube forms.
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Days 5-8 – Ears, legs, toes and wings form. The beak hardens.
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Days 9-16 – Feathers begin growing. Yolk sac reduces in size as chick develops.
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Days 17-19 – Yolk sac drawn into body cavity. Chick gets in hatching position.
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Days 20-21 – Chick pierces air cell and begins pipping shell. Hatching!
Candling eggs periodically lets you see development firsthand. Remember, disturbed embryos may fail to hatch, so candle quickly.
Preparing for Hatching Day
Hatching day is exciting, but before your eggs begin pipping, some preparation is in order:
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Stop turning eggs 3 days before hatching to allow embryos to position themselves.
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Increase humidity to around 65% for the final 3 days.
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Cover incubator bottom with soft bedding to pad new chicks.
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Have brooder fully set up, clean and heated to 95°F.
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Gather supplies like chick starter feed and electrolytes.
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Avoid opening incubator once pipping begins.
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Wait at least 12 hours after first eggs hatch before removing chicks.
Putting newly hatched chicks in bad conditions or rushing them can put their health and survival at risk. Patience pays off with happy, thriving chicks!.
Caring for Newborn Chicks
Those adorable fuzzballs need attentive care in their first days of life:
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Allow chicks to dry off fully before placing in brooder.
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Provide chick starter feed and clean water immediately.
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Monitor chicks for pasty vent, splay leg and other health issues.
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Keep brooder temperature at 95°F first week, reducing by 5°F per week.
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Provide ample space for exercise – at least 1 sq ft per chick.
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Allow chicks to rest after hatching – avoid excessive handling.
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Clean brooder daily and change bedding to prevent disease.
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Watch for huddling, panting and stretching wings to gauge temperature.
With diligent monitoring, nutritious food, clean housing and proper temperatures, your chicks will thrive into adulthood. Enjoy these special moments watching new life grow in your backyard flock!
Troubleshooting Incubation Problems
Even when carefully following all the guidelines, you may encounter issues now and then:
No pipping by day 21 – Be patient – leave eggs in incubator 2 extra days in case of late hatchers.
High early mortality – Review incubator operation and sanitation practices. Hatch fewer eggs per batch.
Malformed/weak chicks – Check for incubator temperature fluctuations. Improve egg storage conditions.
Chicks hatch but fail to thrive – Ensure brooder temp is ideal. Review procedures for feeding, cleaning and ventilation.
Sudden hatch failure – Rule out contamination or equipment issues. Consider breed viability. Acquire fresh eggs.
Don’t get discouraged! Every hatch is a learning experience. Make small changes to your hatching methods until you reach your goals. Enjoy those rewarding moments when healthy chicks emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Hatching
What is the ideal egg storage temperature before incubating?
Between 55-60°F at a humidity of 75%. Store eggs pointy end down and turn 3 times per week.
Can shipped eggs be successfully hatched?
Yes, but locally sourced eggs have higher average hatch rates. Take extra care in incubating shipped eggs.
How often should I candle the eggs while incubating?
Candle once between days 7-10 of incubation. Avoid excessive candling as it can disrupt embryo development.
What humidity level is best in the incubator?
Around 60% throughout is ideal, increasing to 65% humidity the last 3 days before hatching.
When should I stop turning eggs while incubating?
Stop turning eggs on day 18 to allow embryos to move into hatching position.
How long after hatching can chicks go without food or water?
New chicks should have immediate access to food and water. Delaying for even 12 hours can be harmful.
What temperature do baby chicks need after hatching?
Around 95°F for the first week, then decrease by 5°F per week until reaching 70°F at 4 weeks old.
How can I tell if incubator ventilation is adequate?
Watch for condensation buildup on walls. Circulate air without creating drafts on eggs.
Start Your Hatching Journey!
List of Supplies for Hatching Chickens
- Quality Incubator: I don’t think all incubators are the same. This isn’t an endorsement, but I know that many people have had great luck with Brinsea incubators. This isn’t the incubator I used, and the humidity and egg roller caused me a lot of stress. Put the eggs in with the pointy end down if your incubator has an egg tray. The air sac will stay in place.
- Water: It’s very important to keep the incubator at the right humidity level at all times. If it’s not, the eggs might not even hatch. This part of hatching chicks caused me the most stress. I would watch that humidity reader constantly. In the first few days, the humidity should be between 50% and 55% ideal. For the past three days, the humidity should have been raised to 65% to 70%.
- Thermometer: A thermometer is built into most incubators, but I suggest getting a small kitchen thermometer just in case to make sure the temperature is right. The temperature should be set to 100. 5 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained.
- Flashlight: Around days 7-10, you can “candle” your eggs. Be careful when shining a flashlight through the egg at night to see if you can see the embryo and blood vessels. It’s fun, but you have to take this egg out of the incubator if you don’t see any signs of movement or blood vessels. Either nothing had started growing, or the chick died. Use this time to inspect your eggs as well. If an egg is broken or leaking, it must also be taken out and thrown away. Make sure you’re washing your hands after handling the eggs.
- Brooder: I think people don’t always realize how important a good brooder is. An important thing is a safe brooder with the right temperature and lighting. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Here’s a simple guide on how to set up a brooder. I also make sure the Baby Chick Care Kit is ready to go. It’s so easy to make sure our baby chicks get everything they need to grow up strong and healthy thanks to Strong Animals.
This was “Sid,” the rooster, right after he made it out of the egg.
How Long Does it Take for Chickens to Hatch
Chicks take approximately 21 days to hatch. The eggs need to be turned once a day for the first 18 days and then left alone for the last 3 days. Turning the eggs during the first 18 days (3-5 times a day) will prevent the chick from sticking to the side of the shell. Most of the newer incubators have an egg-turner that does this for you. Having an egg turner also helps eliminate the need to open the incubator, letting valuable heat and humidity out. If you have an egg turner, the only thing you have to monitor then is the temperature and humidity.
After the 18 days of turning are over, you stop the turning for the last 3 days and up the humidity to be between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicks will likely hatch on Day 21, but they can go a couple more days. If your eggs haven’t started to hatch by Day 23, they likely won’t.