Chicken eggs are a fascinating part of nature that contain the essential ingredients for new life. However, there is a limited window of viability for successfully hatching healthy chicks from eggs. Understanding egg viability helps chicken owners maximize hatching success. This article will explore the key factors influencing how long eggs remain viable, along with tips for storage and incubation.
What Determines Egg Viability?
The viability of a chicken egg refers to its potential to hatch a living chick For this to occur, the egg must be fertilized and contain a living embryo Egg viability begins declining after the egg is laid. However, the rate of decline depends on several elements
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Storage conditions – Temperature humidity cleanliness, turning/positioning of the egg. Ideal conditions preserve viability.
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Egg freshness – Newly laid eggs have higher viability. Older eggs are less likely to hatch.
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Breed of chicken – Some breeds may maintain viability a bit longer. But most range 7-10 days.
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Health of chickens – Eggs from healthy hens kept in good conditions tend to have better viability.
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Egg handling – Gentle handling prevents damage to developing embryos.
With optimal conditions, eggs can maintain high hatchability for around 7-10 days After this period, viability drops quickly without incubation. However, viability can potentially extend longer with excellent storage conditions and robust chicken breeds
The Answer: How Long Are Chicken Eggs Viable?
Most backyard chicken eggs will remain viable for hatching up to 7-10 days after being laid. During this window, the embryo develops within the egg and has a high chance of surviving incubation.
Some exceptional cases report viable hatching for 14-21 days with ideal storage conditions and chicken breeds selected for hatching. However, waiting longer than 10 days significantly reduces hatchability for typical backyard flocks.
Egg Storage Tips To Maximize Viability
Proper handling and storage are crucial for maintaining viability of hatching eggs:
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Collect eggs daily – Don’t leave in nest long, wipe away manure.
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Store cool and humid – Between 10-21°C (50-70°F), around 70% humidity. Avoid extremes.
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Avoid washing eggs – Wipes away protective bloom, risks contamination.
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Turn eggs 3 times per day – Prevents embryo from sticking.
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Use clean cartons/trays – Prevents bacteria buildup.
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Handle gently – Avoid shakes, drops that could harm embryos.
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Keep different dates separate – Easier to use oldest eggs first.
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Candle 7-10 days – Check for living embryos prior to incubation.
Following these tips provides eggs the best shot at hatching healthy chicks during the standard viable window of 7-10 days.
What About Longer Storage?
Some chicken owners wish to accumulate more eggs prior to incubation, storing them longer than the typical viability period. This can compromise hatchability, but excellent storage conditions may extend viability somewhat. Consider these factors:
Extended Storage Up To 14 Days
- Can work but hatchability drops significantly
- Requires excellent temperature and humidity control
- Only the very freshest eggs will likely hatch
- Must be turned multiple times daily
- More prone to bacterial contamination
Storage Longer Than 14 Days
- Not recommended – very poor hatch rates
- Should only be attempted by experienced breeders
- Temperature/humidity must be continually optimized
- Eggs should be from robust, heritage breeds
- Expect very high infertility and early embryonic death
Most backyard chicken raisers should stick to incubating eggs within 10 days for best results. The effort required to keep eggs viable longer than 2 weeks generally isn’t worthwhile for a small home flock.
What Happens During Egg Storage?
Understanding embryo development helps explain why storage time impacts viability. Here are key events:
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Day 1 – Egg laid – Embryo development begins with fertilization but has not advanced.
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Day 2 – First cell divisions occur but embryo not yet formed.
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Day 3 – Early embryo forms with rapidly dividing cells.
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Day 4 – Heart begins beating, nervous system emerging.
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Day 5 – Major organs develop – eyes, legs, wings, intestines.
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Day 6 – Feathers begin forming, beak develops.
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Day 7 – Embryo positioning itself for hatching.
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Day 8 – Yolk sac retracting as chick develops.
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Days 9-10 – Chick fills most of egg space in preparation to hatch.
As this shows, the embryo is extremely fragile in the first week and proper egg handling is crucial. After 7 days, the chick is preparing itself for hatching and viability rapidly declines without incubation.
How To Check Viability Before Incubation
Candling eggs around 7-10 days into storage provides a window into embryo development and clues about viability prior to setting them. Here’s what to look for:
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Signs of life – Networks of veins, dark blurry spot of embryo, movement.
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Yolk details – Should be round, not flattened. No blood rings.
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Air cell – Should be small and rounded at blunt end.
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Shell – No cracks, dents, stuck yolk, leaks.
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Color – Blood vessels appear dark. Stick to light orange yolks.
Candling is useful for identifying obviously nonviable eggs to remove before wasting incubation time and effort. However, some embryos may not show visible signs this early.
Incubation Tips for Stored Eggs
Once sufficiently stored eggs are ready to be incubated, follow these tips for best hatching:
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Let eggs gradually warm to room temperature before setting.
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Maintain proper incubator temperature and humidity.
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Resist opening incubator frequently to avoid instability.
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Turn eggs at least 3 times daily for first 18 days.
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Consider assisted hatching if shells are tough.
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Leave chicks 24 hours to fully emerge from shells.
With excellent incubation conditions matched with quality eggs stored under ideal conditions, backyard chicken raisers can expect a rewarding hatch!
Determining egg viability for hatching begins with understanding the delicate embryo development process. When eggs are handled properly and stored in clean, climate controlled conditions, backyard chicken eggs typically remain viable for 7-10 days. Extending storage substantially beyond this risks very poor hatch rates. With the right goals and techniques, chicken keepers can readily hatch healthy chicks from properly stored eggs. Just be sure to follow sound storage practices matched with attentive incubation for hatching success!
How to Select Hatching Eggs
The first step in hatching eggs is selecting the right ones. To ensure success, cracked or damaged eggs should be discarded. Candling distinguishes viable eggs from non-viable ones:
- Use a small lamp with a 60-watt flood-light bulb installed.
- Cut a 2-inch hole into a thick piece of cardboard for the egg to sit on.
- Hold the cardboard over the light and place the egg on the hole.
- Look for a bacteria ring, a porous or cracked shell, or a growing chick with visible blood vessels.
Egg Care and Storage
If eggs need to be stored before they go into the incubator, they must be kept below room temperature. Fresh eggs up to five days old can remain at temperatures in the low-60 °F range. If the eggs must wait longer than five days, refrigerate them in a carton tipped 45 ° to improve hatchability. Eggs can stay refrigerated for up to two weeks.
How to Store Chicken Eggs Prior to Incubation | How to Get a More Successful Hatch Rate
FAQ
How long can you keep chicken eggs for hatching?
If properly stored, the number of hatching failures can be kept to a minimum. It is recommended that most eggs be stored no longer than 1 week. Storing eggs longer will produce a greater incidence of hatching failures. The maximum storage period for chickens is about 3 weeks.
How long can chicken eggs sit out before incubating?
How many days are hatching eggs viable?
Hatchability holds reasonably well up to seven days, but declines rapidly afterward. Therefore, do not store eggs more than 7 days before incubating. After 3 weeks of storage, hatchability drops to almost zero. Plan ahead and have a regular hatching schedule to avoid storage problems and reduced hatches.
How old can eggs be for hatching?
It is best to incubate eggs within 7 to 10 days of their being laid. Hatchability decreases rapidly when eggs are stored for more than 10 days.
How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?
If you’re at day 21 and still waiting for your chicks to hatch, here’s what you need to know: How Long Do Chicken Eggs Take To Incubate and Hatch? Normally, eggs will hatch 21 days after incubation begins. Whether a broody mother hen is sitting on her clutch of eggs or you’re incubating them yourself in an incubator, 21 days is the expected period.
Do all chicken eggs hatch at the same time?
Not all chicken eggs will necessarily hatch at the same time or on the same day. Various factors will influence hatch times from the age of an egg, the genetic makeup of the egg (and mother), and fluctuations in the incubation temperature. The quality of your incubator may have a large part to do with this.
How long does it take a broody hen to hatch?
Whether a broody mother hen is sitting on her clutch of eggs or you’re incubating them yourself in an incubator, 21 days is the expected period. However, if the temperature and humidity were not exactly right it’s possible that the chicks will hatch a couple of days on either side of 21 days.
How long does it take to incubate chicken eggs?
It takes approximately 21 days for a chicken to break through the shell when temperature and humidity are ideal during incubation. Of course, this is just a general guideline. Sometimes, it takes more time, or it takes less time. When Is The Best Time Of Year To Incubate Chicken Eggs?
When do eggs hatch in a hen incubator?
Don’t open the incubator, don’t touch the eggs, or change the humidity and temperature. happy hatching day! Between days 20 and 23, your eggs will start to hatch. Usually, this process begins on day 21, but don’t worry if your chick is a little early or late.
When is the best time to hatch chicken eggs?
The best time to brood, incubate, or hatch chicken eggs is during (early) spring, from February to May. It doesn’t matter much if you want to incubate chicken eggs during fall or winter, but chickens born in spring are usually stronger and healthier. What Equipment Do I Need to Hatch Chicken Eggs?