You can hatch chicken eggs at home by following a few simple steps. You need fertile eggs, an incubator, and fresh feed and water for the chicks. Most beginners ask how to hatch chicken eggs, so you should know how to incubate with the right tools. With good setup and steady conditions, hatch rates typically range from 50–75% depending on handling, storage age, and turning discipline.

In short: set 99.5°F (forced-air) or 102–103°F at egg-top (still-air), hold 45–55% RH to day 18 targeting 11–13% total weight loss, then 65–75% RH at lockdown; wait ~24 h after the first external pip and stop at any fresh blood or visible yolk.

To get started, gather these essentials:

• Fertile eggs

• An incubator

• Chick starter feed

• Water

You will learn how to incubate and care for eggs in each step. Hatching chicken eggs is exciting, and anyone can hatch at home by following the steps to incubating and hatching chicken eggs.

Key Takeaways

• Pick healthy, clean, and well-formed eggs for a better hatch rate.

• Store hatching eggs at 55–60°F (13–16°C) and 70–80% RH; if your room runs warmer than 60°F (16°C), shorten storage time and turn once daily after day 3.

• Set correct temperature for your incubator type: 99.5°F forced-air, or 102–103°F at egg-top in still-air.

• Maintain 45–55% RH during days 1–18 and target 11–13% weight loss by day 18; increase to 65–75% RH at lockdown.

• Turn eggs 4–6 times per day until day 18, then stop to prepare for hatching.

• Wait ~24 h after first external pip before assisting; stop if you see fresh blood or unabsorbed yolk.

Storing Eggs

Keep eggs in a cool room with 70–80% humidity. Always place the large end up. If you store eggs for more than 3 days, gently turn them once a day to prevent the yolk from sticking. Try to set eggs within 7 days for the best hatch rate. You can use eggs up to 10 days old, but hatchability drops after that.

Warming and Orientation

Before you place eggs in the incubator, let them warm to room temperature for 4–8 hours. This step helps prevent condensation on the shell, which can harm the embryo. Studies show that storing eggs with the small end down improves hatchability and lowers embryo death. For eggs stored longer than 7 days, hatch rates may drop from 94.82% to 76.30%. Always handle eggs gently and keep them in the right position to give each chick the best start.

Incubator Setup for Hatch Chicken Eggs

Getting your incubator ready is very important. You must make a safe place for the eggs. Verify multi-point readings (egg-top, center, corner). A ≥0.5°F spread warrants fan/vent tuning before setting eggs. For small eggs and mixed clutches, an automatic egg incubator — 3 trays for birds and quail keeps spacing even and humidity stable.

Incubate and Hatch Chicken Eggs: Daily Care

Daily care is the heart of your journey to incubate and hatch chicken eggs. You need to check temperature, humidity, egg weight, turning, and development every day. Follow these steps to incubating and hatching chicken eggs for the best results.

Temperature and Humidity

You must keep the right temperature and humidity inside your incubator. These two factors control how well your eggs develop and hatch.

• The ideal temperature for incubating is 99.5°F (37.5°C) in a forced-air incubator. For a still-air incubator, set the temperature at the top of the eggs to 102–103°F (39°C).

• Small changes in temperature can affect hatch rates. If the temperature drops to 96.8–97.9°F (36–36.6°C) in the first week, hatchability goes down and chicks may be heavier. If it rises above 100.6°F (38.1°C), chick quality and hatch rates can drop.

• Keep humidity at 45–55% for the first 18 days. Use total weight loss as the primary control: if loss is below target, lower RH; if above, raise RH. Aim for 11–13% by day 18.

• Proper humidity lets the egg lose enough water. This helps the air cell grow, which is important for the chick to breathe during hatching.

• Use two hygrometers to check humidity. Write down readings every day.

Tip: “湿度看数也看蛋”—Check both the humidity numbers and the egg’s air cell or weight loss. This helps you adjust for your local climate.

Weighing and Air Cell Check

You should weigh each egg before incubation and again every 5–7 days. This helps you track water loss and air cell growth.

• Eggs should lose 11–13% of their starting weight by day 18.

• If eggs lose too little weight, lower humidity. If they lose too much, raise humidity.

• Mark the air cell with a pencil during candling to see if it grows at the right rate.

Note: Proper weight loss means the chick will have enough air to breathe when it starts hatching.

Egg Turning

Turning eggs is a key step in incubation. You must turn each egg from day 1 to day 18.

• Turning prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell.

• Always turn eggs gently and quickly to avoid temperature and humidity drops.

• Stop turning on day 18 to prepare for hatching. Switching off the turner at day 18, you can lay eggs flat and maintain lockdown RH with an automatic 3-tray incubator to minimize lid-opening.

Remember: Less than 8 turns a day after the first week can sharply lower hatch rates.

Candling

Candling lets you see how the embryo is growing. Use a bright light and a dark room to check the air cell and the chick’s position. Candle on day 7, 14, and 18. Remove any eggs that show no growth or a bad smell.

Ventilation

Good airflow brings oxygen in and removes carbon dioxide. Increase vent opening gradually through lockdown (e.g., open ~30% → 60% in steps) while holding 65–75% RH; avoid sudden drafts that crash humidity.

Lockdown and Hatching

On day 18, stop turning the eggs and raise humidity to 65–75%. Do not open the incubator unless you must. The chick will make a small crack called an external pip. Many chicks finish within 24–48 hours of the first external pip, with a minority resting up to ~36 h before unzipping.

Observation vs Intervention

Most chicks hatch on their own. Watch and wait to avoid harm. Gently help only when a chick has not made progress for a long time and there is no bleeding.

Rule of thumb: wait ~24 hours after the first external pip; stop at any fresh blood or visible yolk; maintain ≥65% RH during the window.

Move hatched chicks to the brooder only when they are dry and fluffy. Keep other eggs in the incubator so humidity and heat stay stable.

Aftercare: Brooder Setup and First Days

Wait until each chick is dry and fluffy before moving it. This helps prevent chilling and stress.

Moving to Brooder

Once the chick is dry, move it to a warm brooder. Set the brooder temperature to about 95°F (35°C) for the first week. Lower the temperature by about 5°F (≈3°C) each week as the chick grows. Use a thermometer to check the temperature at chick level. Watch the chicks for signs of comfort:

• Chicks spread out and rest quietly when warm enough.

• Overheated chicks move away from the heat, pant, and look sleepy.

• Chicks that are too cold huddle under the heat source and chirp loudly.

Here is a quick guide for brooder temperatures:

First Feed and Water

Give each chick access to warm water as soon as you move it to the brooder. Place marbles or small stones in the water dish to prevent drowning. Gently dip each chick’s beak in the water so it learns where to drink. After water, offer chick starter feed. Show each chick the feed by dipping its beak. If chicks seem weak or stressed, you can add a small amount of sugar to the water for extra energy.

Tip: Always make sure water and feed are easy to reach. Clean the brooder daily to keep chicks healthy.

With these steps, you help every chick start strong and grow into a healthy chicken.

Quick Reference Card

Key Parameters

This quick reference card helps you at every step of hatching chicken eggs. Keep these numbers and tips close for a smooth hatch.

�� Incubation & Hatching Parameters

FAQ

How long does it take to hatch chicken eggs?

You need about 21 days to hatch chicken eggs in an incubator. Mark your calendar and check progress daily. Most chicks hatch between day 20 and day 22. Many chicks finish within 24–48 h of the first external pip.

What temperature should I set in my incubator?

Set your forced-air incubator to 99.5°F. If you use a still-air incubator, set the temperature at the top of the eggs to 102–103°F. Use two thermometers to check accuracy.

How often should I turn the eggs?

Turn each egg 4–6 times every day until day 18. Turning helps the embryo grow strong. Stop turning on day 18 to let chicks get ready to hatch.

What humidity level is best for hatching?

Keep humidity at 45–55% for the first 18 days. Raise humidity to 65–75% during the last three days. Watch both the humidity numbers and the air cell size.

Can I help a chick hatch if it is struggling?

Wait and watch. If you see blood or unabsorbed yolk, do not help. Most chicks hatch on their own. Only assist if the chick has not made progress after 24 hours and there is no bleeding.