How Long Do Chicken Eggs Take to Hatch? A Complete Guide to Incubating Eggs
Hatching chicks from eggs is an exciting and rewarding experience for any backyard chicken keeper. Watching new life emerge from the egg is truly magical. However, there is some work involved to ensure the eggs hatch successfully. In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about incubating chicken eggs and how long the process takes from start to finish.
The Incubation PeriodThe incubation period for chicken eggs is around 21 days This is the time it takes from when the egg is first set in the incubator to when the chick fully emerges from the shell,
It’s important to note that this 21-day period refers to a full 24 hours for each “day”. So day 1 is the first full 24 hours after setting the egg, day 2 is the next 24 hours, and so on. You can expect the eggs to hatch right around day 21 after being set. However, it is perfectly normal for some chicks to pip a day or two early, while others may go a day or two late.
Preparing for Incubation
Before you even begin incubating eggs, there are a few key things you need to have in place:
- A reliable incubator set up and running at the proper temperature and humidity levels
- Quality fertile eggs selected for incubation
- Supplies for candling and monitoring embryo development
- A brooder prepared for the newly hatched chicks
Let’s look at each of these elements in a bit more detail.
The Incubator
A good quality incubator is essential for successfully hatching eggs. There are many different models ranging from basic styrofoam still-air incubators to more high-tech forced-air incubators with automatic turners. The right incubator for you depends on your budget and how many eggs you plan to hatch at one time.
No matter what type of incubator you choose, it must maintain a consistent temperature between 99.5-102°F depending on the model. The incubator should run for at least 24 hours before setting eggs to ensure the temperature stabilizes.
Humidity is also crucial, especially in the last days before hatching. For the first 18 days, maintain 40-50% relative humidity In the final 3 days (lockdown), increase humidity to around 65%. Monitor humidity closely and add water as needed to prevent the air cell from getting too large or small
Selecting and Storing Eggs
Choose clean, normal shaped eggs free of cracks for the best hatch rates. Avoid very large or very small eggs. Store eggs for no longer than 7-10 days before setting them, and turn them at least once per day during storage. Do not wash eggs before incubation as this removes their protective cuticle. Letting eggs rest for 24 hours before setting can help the contents settle after transport.
Candling and Monitoring Development
Candling eggs allows you to monitor embryo growth and development. It involves going into a dark room and shining a bright light through the egg. Start checking eggs as early as day 5-7 and remove any that show no signs of development. Candling lets you identify infertility, dead embryos, and other issues.
Preparing the Brooder
Chicks require a draft-free, warm, safe environment immediately after hatching. Have the brooder fully set up and stabilized at 95°F before the hatch date. This provides a smooth transition once the chicks emerge. For tips on setting up an ideal brooder, see my complete brooder guide here.
The Incubation Process Step-By-Step
Now let’s walk through the full incubation process from start to finish:
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Set Up the Incubator
Run your incubator for at least 24 hours before setting eggs. Verify it maintains proper temperature and humidity levels. -
Set the Eggs
Place eggs pointy side down in the incubator trays. Arrange smaller eggs in the center and larger eggs to the outer edges of trays. -
Turn the Eggs
Turn eggs at least 3 times per day for the first 18 days of incubation. This prevents embryos from sticking. Mark eggs with an X on one side and O on the other to track turns. -
Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Check the incubator at least twice a day and adjust as needed. Add water to maintain 40-50% humidity for days 1-18. -
Candle at Day 7
Candle eggs in a dark room starting at day 7. Remove any that show no signs of development. -
Candle Again at Day 14 If Desired
Some like to candle again at day 14 to identify any late dying embryos. This step is optional. -
Stop Turning at Day 18
On day 18, stop turning eggs and increase humidity to 65-70% for lockdown. -
Hatching Begins!
Expect the first pip around day 20-21 as chicks start to hatch. Resist opening the incubator! -
Allow Chicks to Dry Before Removing
Once fully dry and fluffed up, move chicks to the brooder. Do not let them chill. -
Finish Hatching in Brooder if Needed
Late hatchers can finish emerging in the brooder as long as temperature is ideal.
As you can see, there are a number of steps involved in incubating eggs and a successful hatch requires close monitoring and the right conditions at each stage. While the average incubation period spans 21 days from start to finish, a few days on either end of that timeline are perfectly normal.
Post-Hatch Care and Incubator Cleanup
Eggs go into lockdown on day eighteen, no more turning is required, and the humidity of the incubator is raised to 70%. To learn the answer for the most common question how many days to incubate chicken eggs, is that the chicks will start hatching on day twenty-one (21). As tempting as it may be to help the chicks hatch, do not help them hatch! It usually takes five to seven hours for a chick to hatch, but it can take up to twenty-four hours. Leave the chicks in the incubator until the majority of them have hatched. Once they are dry and fluffy, remove the chicks from the incubator and put them in a brooder, browser chick brooder parts.
Your brooder should already be set up and running at least twelve hours prior to the chicks expected hatch date. After placing your chicks in their brooder, dip their beaks in the water so they know where to drink. Dont forget to have chick grit in your chick feed. If you have any unhatched eggs let the incubator run for another one to two days. During this time candle the eggs to determine if the chick is still alive. After two days discard unhatched eggs. Clean your incubator with warm water and bleach, then wipe it down and set it up for the next hatch or store it for next season.
Looking for hatching eggs? Check out the Hatching Time Farm Directory, where you can search by species, delivery method, NPIP status, and much more!
Written by:
Aryeh Wiesel Poultry Enthusiast & Expert Aryeh
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Incubating Chickens is SUPER Easy!
FAQ
How long does it take for chicken eggs to hatch naturally?
What happens if eggs don’t hatch in 21 days?
If chicken eggs don’t hatch within the typical 21-day incubation period, they may still hatch a day or two later, but it’s unlikely they’ll hatch after day 23. If they haven’t hatched by day 22 or 23, it’s recommended to candle the eggs to check for signs of life.
How long after a chicken lays an egg can you incubate?
How long should I wait for eggs to hatch in an incubator?
How long does it take for chicken eggs to hatch in an incubator? The incubation period for chicken eggs typically ranges from 21 to 23 days.
What is the incubation period for chicken eggs?
The incubation period for eggs of chicken is typically around 21 days. This timeframe is generally consistent, but several factors can influence the exact duration. Here’s a detailed look at what affects the incubation period and how long you can expect it to take. While 21 days is the norm, several factors can influence the exact hatching time:
How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?
Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch. So the incubation period for chicken eggs is 21 days. Also, the ideal incubating temperature and humidity for chicken eggs are 99.5 o F or 37.5 o C and 45-50% respectively. If you are considering hatching eggs with an incubator, the first thing you have to do is to collect some healthy fertilized chicken eggs.
Should you incubate and hatch chicken eggs at home?
Before hatching eggs at home, you must know how it works. Buying an incubator and putting eggs inside does not result in successful hatching. Poor incubation may result in weak chicks, or excessive long incubation may kill your upcoming baby chicks. That’s why going through a definitive guide on incubating and hatching chicken eggs will help you.
How long does it take to incubate chicken eggs?
How to incubate chicken eggs: week 1. Chicken eggs take approximately three weeks (21 days) to develop. The days of development fit neatly into three separate weeks. This first week sees the egg develop from a tiny collection of cells to an embryo which is visible to the naked eye when using a candling lamp.
How to incubate chicken eggs?
If you’ve been thinking about expanding your backyard chicken flock learning how to incubate chicken eggs is a great way to get started. Incubating chicken eggs is a simple process of placing fertilized eggs into your incubator for 21 days. Keeping the temperature between 99 and 102 F and turning the eggs at least 3 times a day.
What is a chicken incubator & how does it work?
An incubator is a machine that creates the same conditions as a hen would. It keeps the eggs at a steady temperature, controls humidity, and often turns the eggs automatically. Chicken eggs usually take 21 days to hatch. During this time, the embryo inside the egg goes through important stages: