Learn how to confidently manage hatching your own turkey eggs at home, and achieve high success rates even from your very first hatch. This article will walk you through every step, from egg to adorable poult.
A couple of years ago, while saving turkey eggs to hatch for the first time, I happened to run into a local homesteading friend at the feed store. We chatted about our various homesteading projects, and he wished me well with those turkey eggs. “Theyre wicked hard to hatch, from what I hear.”
In fact, my experience ended up thankfully being the opposite. That first batch of eggs went on to have a 100% hatch rate, and every little poult was healthy and robust.
With many successful hatches of turkey poults behind me now, I can say that this idea of turkey eggs being difficult to incubate is just not something Ive found to hold up. In my experience, turkey eggs are easier, more resilient, and hatch more quickly from pip-to-poult, than any other poultry species except quail.
If youve been considering hatching out your own turkey poults, I would heartily encourage you to give it a go! This hatching guide is based on my own successful experience, and I hope you find it helpful.
Incubating and hatching turkey eggs is an exciting and rewarding experience for any backyard poultry enthusiast. However it’s important to understand the specific temperature requirements for incubating turkey eggs in order to achieve the best hatch rates. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about incubating turkey eggs at the proper temperature.
Why Temperature Matters For Incubating Turkey Eggs
Temperature is one of the most critical factors that determines whether turkey eggs will hatch successfully. Turkey embryos require consistent temperatures within a narrow range in order to develop normally.
If the temperature is too low during incubation, the embryos may not fully develop or may develop abnormalities. Temperatures that are too high can also cause defects, embryo mortality, or premature hatching.
Maintaining the correct temperature allows the developing turkey embryo to metabolize nutrients from the yolk, grow, and thrive. Even small fluctuations above or below the ideal temperature range can negatively impact hatch rates.
The Optimal Incubation Temperature For Turkey Eggs
The ideal incubation temperature for turkey eggs is 99.5°F (37.5°C). This provides the proper environment for the embryos to develop during the 28 day incubation period.
The temperature should be held steady at 99.5°F throughout the incubation process, from the time the eggs are set until the last 3-4 days before hatching Slight variations of +/- 0.5°F are acceptable, but anything beyond that can put the hatch at risk
Here are some key temperature guidelines for incubating turkey eggs:
- Set temperature at 99.5°F when eggs are placed in incubator
- Maintain 99.5°F for first 25 days of incubation
- Lower temperature to 99°F for the last 3-4 days before hatch
- Do not allow temperature to vary more than 0.5°F up or down
- Monitor incubator temperature at least 2-3x daily
- Make gradual adjustments if temperature veers out of range
Why The Temperature Drops For The Final Days
Lowering the temperature slightly to 99°F for the last 3-4 days of incubation is recommended for turkey eggs. This drop mimics what happens when a hen prepares to hatch eggs naturally.
The slight decline triggers the embryos to start positioning themselves for hatching. It also helps synchronize the hatch so that more poults emerge at the same time.
Don’t reduce the temperature too soon or too drastically. Dropping below 97°F too early could result in abnormalities or embryo death. Lower gradually from 99.5°F to 99°F starting no earlier than day 25 of incubation.
How To Regulate Temperature In Your Incubator
Maintaining proper temperature in your incubator takes vigilance, but is very feasible. Here are some tips:
- Select an incubator that allows temperature adjustment in increments less than 1°F
- Use an accurate thermometer to monitor internal incubator temperature
- Check temperature multiple times a day and make adjustments as needed
- Pre-heat incubator and stabilize temperature for at least 24 hours before adding eggs
- Position incubator away from windows, vents, exterior walls, etc.
- Only open incubator when necessary and for short periods to reduce heat loss
- Add or reduce water in incubator reservoirs to control humidity and temperature
- Use insulating materials like foam or blankets around the incubator if needed
The Importance Of A Thermometer
Investing in a high quality thermometer is essential for maintaining proper temperature when incubating turkey eggs. Look for a digital thermometer that:
- Provides accuracy within +/- 0.1°F
- Has a probe designed to measure air temperature
- Can display Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Has an easy to read digital display
- Allows you to track minimum and maximum temps
- Has an alarm for high and low temperature thresholds
Check that your thermometer is calibrated correctly when set up in the incubator. Comparing with a second thermometer can help confirm accuracy.
Monitor the incubator temperature frequently, and always double check it if hatch rates seem lower than expected. Act quickly if the temperature creeps out of the ideal 99.5°F range so developing embryos aren’t put at risk.
Humidity Also Matters
In addition to temperature, relative humidity levels impact incubation success. The optimal humidity for incubating turkey eggs is around 55-60% for most of the process.
Humidity should be increased to 65% during the hatching phase. Using a hygrometer to monitor humidity is recommended. Adding water reservoirs to your incubator gives you some control over humidity levels.
Signs Of Temperature Related Problems
Here are some signs that temperature issues may be affecting your turkey egg hatch:
- Lower than expected hatch rates
- Pipped eggs not fully hatching
- Poults hatching with defects like missing limbs or exposed intestines
- Embryos dying mid-incubation when candled
- Hatch times varied more than 24-48 hours between eggs
- Unusually early or late pipping and hatching
- Cracked air cells from expand/contracting
Carefully controlling incubation temperature and making prompt adjustments at the first sign of problems can help avoid losses and improve your turkey hatch rates.
Incubating Turkey Eggs Is Worth The Effort
Incubating turkey eggs does require diligence and dedication, but taking the time to properly regulate temperature is worth it. The reward of seeing healthy poults hatching is well worth the 28 day wait.
Following these temperature guidelines, using a quality thermometer, and making small adjustments as needed will set your turkey eggs up for a successful hatch. Be sure to document what works to refine your process for future hatches!
What is a good hatch rate for turkey eggs?
The biggest factor here comes down to fertility. Some of the larger turkey breeds can have a harder time naturally mating, and you may see decreased fertility in “large-breasted” breeds that are bred primary for meat production.
While breed does play a factor, there are things you can do to help keep your turkeys fertility rates as high as possible:
- Make sure your turkeys are receiving at LEAST 12-13 hours of light per day. If youre aiming to hatch especially early in the season, this may mean offering supplemental light in their coop.
- Feed an excellent, high-quality diet
- Allow them a peaceful, undisturbed run or yard, where they can successfully engage in breeding behavior without being interrupted. If youve ever witnessed this, youll know what I mean. Unlike chickens, this is not a really fast “hop-on-hop-off” business. Thankfully, even just a few successful breeding encounters over the course of a season can be enough to ensure that most of a hens eggs are fertilized.
In fertilized eggs, a hatch rate over 90% is not uncommon, and should definitely be considered an easily achievable goal. If your hatch rates are lower than this, even with eggs that are definitely fertile, a little troubleshooting can help you get a better result.
Still Air vs. Circulated Air
Still air incubators (those without a fan inside, for circulating the heat), as a rule are cheaper to buy than circulated air incubators. However, its much easier to get a good hatch rate with a circulated air incubator. If youre considering a still air incubator because you cant afford a good circulated air one, Id suggests looking at used incubators. I would HANDS-DOWN recommend a used incubator with a built-in fan, over any incubator that doesnt have one.
How to Incubate Turkey Eggs
FAQ
What temperature and humidity to incubate turkey eggs?
For turkey eggs, your incubator humidity will start off at a stable 55-60% and the temperature, if using a circulated air incubator, is 99 degrees. If using a still air incubator you will want to increase the temperature 2-3 degrees more.
What day is lockdown for turkey eggs?
Step 5: Lockdown, Days 26-28
We call these final 3 days “lockdown” because you will not open the incubator until after all poults have hatched and dried off. On day 26 of the incubation period, you should stop turning the eggs by hand or turn off and remove eggs from the automatic turner.
How long does it take a turkey to hatch eggs?
The incubation period is 28 days in turkey. There are two methods of incubation. (a) Natural incubation with broody hens: Naturally turkeys are good brooders and the broody hen can hatch 10-15 numbers of eggs.
What is the best temperature for egg incubation?
- Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial .
- Temperatures too high can significantly harm or kill the embryo.
- Slightly lower temperatures for short periods are less detrimental than high temperatures.
- Always check your incubator’s manual for specific temperature recommendations.
How do you incubate a turkey egg?
Here are some key takeaways on incubating turkey eggs: Allow 28 days for turkeys eggs to hatch. Maintain 99.5°F temperature and 60% humidity. Turn eggs 3-5 times daily until day 25. Candle eggs on days 7 and 14 to check development. Increase humidity at lockdown on day 25. Let poults fully emerge from shells before assisting.
What temperature do turkey eggs need to be incubated?
Your eggs will need to be consistently incubated at 37.5°C (99.5°F) up until 4 days before hatching. During the final 4 days of incubation, the humidity is increased. Unlike chickens or ducks, your incubator temperature does not need to be reduced for turkeys.
How long should a turkey egg be in an incubator?
Avoid eggs more than 14 days old. An incubator provides the consistent temperature, humidity, and ventilation turkey eggs need. Here are some tips for setting up an incubator before adding eggs: Clean and disinfect incubator thoroughly before each use. Allow incubator to run for 24 hours to stabilize temperature and humidity.
When should you incubate turkey eggs?
48 hours before you begin incubating your turkey eggs, set up the incubator and get all of its vital measurements stabilized. You’ll want to see that the temperature and humidity are stable for at least 12 hours before setting eggs. As a reminder, you will want these two readings to be perfect:
What is a turkey egg incubation chart?
This turkey egg incubation chart has been designed for anyone who wants to hatch their turkey eggs at home. This incubation chart shows the ideal temperature, humidity, and turning frequency for each day of incubation. It also includes some tips for a successful hatch. You can download the chart as a PDF file or print it.
What is a turkey egg incubator?
A turkey egg incubator is an important piece of equipment for anyone raising turkeys. By providing the right environment for the eggs to hatch, you can ensure that your poults will have the best chance at a healthy life. This turkey egg incubation chart has been designed for anyone who wants to hatch their turkey eggs at home.