How To Hatch Chicken Eggs in an Incubator – Start to Finish
Hatching chicken eggs in an incubator is a rewarding process, and with the right care and attention, you can successfully incubate and hatch healthy chicks. Whether you’re hatching eggs for a backyard flock or just enjoying the experience of raising chicks, the process requires careful monitoring of temperature, humidity, and egg turning. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you hatch chicken eggs in an incubator from start to finish.
1. Choosing the Right Incubator
Before you start, you’ll need a reliable incubator. There are various types available, including still-air incubators (which rely on natural airflow) and forced-air incubators (which use a fan to circulate air and maintain a more consistent temperature). The latter is generally recommended for beginners because it’s easier to maintain the right conditions.
Features to look for in an incubator:
- Accurate temperature control: This is the most critical factor in hatching eggs. A thermostat is essential to ensure the temperature stays within the ideal range.
- Humidity control: Proper humidity is essential for the development of the embryos, particularly in the final stages of incubation.
- Egg-turning mechanism: While you can manually turn eggs, an automatic egg-turning feature is much more convenient and ensures even development.
- Capacity: Make sure the incubator can hold the number of eggs you intend to hatch.
2. Preparing the Incubator
Before you place the eggs in the incubator, make sure it’s clean and properly set up.
Steps to prepare the incubator:
- Clean the incubator thoroughly with warm soapy water to remove any bacteria or contaminants.
- Set the incubator at the right temperature. The ideal temperature for chicken eggs is 99.5°F (37.5°C). If your incubator has a thermostat, make sure it’s calibrated to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Set the humidity. The humidity level should be around 45-50% for the first 18 days of incubation. In the final three days (when the chicks are preparing to hatch), increase the humidity to 65-70% to help the chicks break out of the shell.
- Place a hygrometer and thermometer inside the incubator to monitor the temperature and humidity levels throughout the incubation period.
3. Selecting Fertile Eggs
It’s crucial to start with fertile eggs. If you’re using eggs from your own chickens, make sure they’ve been fertilized by a rooster. Eggs from the grocery store won’t hatch, as they’re usually not fertilized.
How to select fertile eggs:
- Choose clean, undamaged eggs. Cracks or dirt on the eggs can introduce bacteria.
- Select eggs that are around the same size and shape for uniform hatching.
- If possible, collect eggs that are no more than 7 days old. Eggs that are too old may not hatch as well.
Tip: It’s ideal to incubate eggs within 7 days of collection, but they can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 10 days. Ensure the eggs are stored pointy end down in a carton and kept at 55-65°F (13-18°C).
4. Setting the Eggs in the Incubator
Once your incubator is prepped and your eggs are selected, it’s time to place the eggs inside.
Egg placement:
- Position the eggs with the pointy end down (the large end of the egg should be facing up).
- Don’t overcrowd the eggs; give them enough space to allow for proper airflow.
- If your incubator has an automatic egg turner, simply place the eggs in the trays. If not, you’ll need to turn them manually at least 3-5 times a day.
Tip: Don’t open the incubator unnecessarily, as this will cause temperature and humidity fluctuations. Only open it when absolutely necessary.
5. Incubation Period: Days 1-18
During the first 18 days of incubation, the main things to focus on are maintaining the proper temperature, humidity, and turning the eggs.
Temperature and Humidity:
- Keep the temperature at 99.5°F (37.5°C) consistently.
- Keep the humidity at 45-50% during these first 18 days. Use a small bowl of water inside the incubator to help maintain humidity, or use a humidifier if necessary.
Turning the Eggs:
- Turn the eggs at least 3-5 times per day, or use an automatic egg-turning mechanism if your incubator has one.
- The turning helps prevent the embryo from sticking to the eggshell and ensures that the chick develops properly.
Tip: If you are turning the eggs manually, mark one side of each egg with a pencil so you can track which side has been turned. This will help ensure that each egg is turned equally.
6. Lockdown Phase: Days 18-21
On Day 18, it’s time to stop turning the eggs and prepare for hatching.
Steps for the lockdown phase:
- Stop turning the eggs. At this point, the chicks are positioning themselves inside the eggs for hatching.
- Increase the humidity. Raise the humidity level to 65-70% to help soften the eggshells and aid in the hatching process.
- Remove the egg-turner (if using an automatic incubator) to allow the eggs to settle into the correct position for hatching.
- Increase airflow. If your incubator has adjustable vents, open them slightly to ensure fresh air enters, helping the chicks as they begin to breathe air inside the egg.
7. Hatching Day: Day 21
On Day 21, your chicks should start to hatch. This is an exciting time, but also one where you need to remain patient.
Hatching process:
- The chicks will start to pip (make a small hole in the egg), and then they’ll slowly begin to break open the shell. This can take anywhere from 6 to 24 hours.
- During this process, the chick is absorbing the yolk sac and gaining strength to break free.
- Do not assist a chick in hatching. While it can be difficult to watch, helping too soon can harm the chick or prevent it from hatching properly.
After hatching:
- Once the chicks are fully hatched, leave them in the incubator for several hours to dry off and gain strength. They’ll be wet and fragile at first.
- Ensure the temperature is around 95°F (35°C) in the incubator during this time.
8. Transferring Chicks to the Brooder
Once the chicks are dry and fluffy, it’s time to move them to a brooder (a safe, warm environment where they’ll grow for the first few weeks).
Setting up the brooder:
- Keep the brooder temperature at 95°F (35°C) for the first week, reducing it by 5°F each week until the chicks are fully feathered (around 6 weeks).
- Provide fresh water and starter feed (special chick feed) in shallow dishes to prevent drowning.
- Ensure ventilation but avoid drafts.
Conclusion
Hatching chicken eggs in an incubator is a fascinating and educational process, but it requires attention to detail and patience. From setting up the incubator and monitoring temperature and humidity, to the lockdown phase and eventual hatching, following these steps will help ensure you have a successful hatch. With careful preparation and care, you’ll soon have healthy, happy chicks ready to grow into your backyard flock! Happy hatching!
