How Long Does It Take for Bird Eggs to Hatch? Timelines by Species

Quick Take: Most bird eggs hatch in 10–35 days. The exact time depends on the bird species and incubation conditions.

You might ask, "how long does it take for bird eggs to hatch?" Many people look up timelines to plan or learn more. Some want to fix problems or are just curious. Important things to watch are:

• Keeping the right temperature because too hot or cold changes hatch time

• Controlling humidity so chicks stay healthy

• Turning each egg often so they grow right

If you want more information, you can always use  incubation guides.

Key Takeaways

• Most bird eggs hatch in 10 to 35 days. The time depends on the bird species and how the eggs are kept. - Keep the temperature steady at 99 to 100°F. Humidity should stay close to 60% for the best hatching. - Turn the eggs often, about 24 times each day. This helps the baby birds grow well. - Use candling to look at the eggs and check their growth. Take out any eggs that are not growing by day 14. - Follow special guides for each bird species. This will help you get better hatching results.

How to Use the Timelines

Standard Incubation Conditions

When you look at the timelines, they show the usual time for eggs to hatch. You must keep temperature and humidity the same. Turning eggs often helps them grow well. Most timelines expect you use an incubator or a broody bird.

Here is a quick chart for temperature settings:

You should also:

• Check air cell size to watch humidity.

• Weigh eggs before incubation to see weight loss.

• Try for 11–13% weight loss by lockdown.

If you want step-by-step help, check  incubation guides.

Typical Variability

You will see hatch times can change a little. Most birds hatch within one or two days of the average. For example, if the timeline says 21 days, some eggs hatch on day 20 or 22. This is normal and does not mean you made a mistake.

Small changes in temperature or humidity can affect hatch time. Turning eggs often helps stop problems. If eggs hatch early or late, check your settings and use  incubation guides for help.

Use these timelines as a guide, not a promise. Each egg is different. Be patient and look for signs of healthy growth.

How Long Does It Take for Bird Eggs to Hatch

You may wonder how long does it take for bird eggs to hatch. The answer depends on the type of bird and your incubation setup. Use this quick-reference table to compare common species:

| Species         | Incubation Period (Days) |
|-----------------|-------------------------|
| Chicken         | 21                      |
| Duck (Pekin)    | 28                      |
| Duck (Muscovy)  | 35                      |
| Goose           | 28–35                   |
| Turkey          | 28                      |
| Quail           | 16–20                   |
| Guinea Fowl     | 26–28                   |
| Pheasant        | 23–25                   |
| Peafowl         | 28–30                   |
| Pigeon          | 18                      |
| Dove            | 14                      |
| Small Parrot    | 18–28                   |
| Medium Parrot   | 22–28                   |
| Finch/Canary    | 12–16                   |
| Songbird        | 10–14                   |
| Ostrich         | 42–43                   |
| Emu             | 48–56                   |

Chickens

• Chicken eggs usually hatch in 21 days.

• Some may hatch a day early or late.

• Keep temperature steady and turn eggs often.

• For more details, see  chicken egg incubation.

Ducks

• Pekin ducks hatch in about 28 days.

• Muscovy ducks need about 35 days.

• Raise humidity during the last three days.

• See ★ duck egg incubation for tips.

Geese

• Goose eggs take 28–35 days to hatch.

• Most goslings hatch around day 32.

• Turn eggs daily for best results.

• Visit ★ goose egg incubation for more.

Turkeys

• Turkey eggs need about 28 days.

• Keep humidity steady and stop turning eggs three days before hatching.

• Check  turkey egg incubation for guidance.

Quail

• Coturnix quail hatch in 16–20 days, usually around 18 days.

• Keep eggs warm and turn them often.

• Learn more at  quail egg incubation.

Guinea Fowl

• Guinea fowl eggs hatch in 26–28 days.

• Keep humidity higher near hatching time.

• See  guinea fowl egg incubation.

Pheasants

• Pheasant eggs hatch in 23–25 days.

• Candle eggs to check growth.

• Visit  pheasant egg incubation.

Peafowl

• Peafowl eggs need 28–30 days.

• Keep temperature and humidity stable.

• See  peafowl egg incubation.

Pigeons and Doves

• Turn eggs gently if you use an incubator.

• See pigeon egg incubation.

Small Parrots

• Small parrots hatch in 18–28 days.

• Budgies need about 18 days.

• Cockatiels take 18–21 days.

• See  parrot egg incubation.

Medium Parrots

• Medium parrots need 22–28 days.

• African Greys take about 28 days.

• Macaws need 26–28 days.

Finches and Canaries

• Finch and canary eggs hatch in 12–16 days.

• Keep the nest warm and dry.

Songbirds

• Songbird eggs hatch in 10–14 days.

• Wild birds may have different needs.

• Always follow local laws and avoid disturbing wild nests.

Ratites

• Ostrich eggs hatch in 42–43 days.

• Emu eggs need 48–56 days.

• Use a strong incubator for these large eggs.

Tip: Always check your species and use  incubation guides for step-by-step help. If you wonder how long does it take for eggs to hatch, this guide gives you a solid starting point.

What Affects When Bird Eggs Hatch

Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and humidity play a huge role in when your bird eggs hatch. If you keep the temperature steady at 99–100°F (37–38°C), you help the chicks develop on time. Even small changes can cause eggs to hatch early or late. Humidity should stay around 60% until the eggs start to pip, then rise to 70%. If humidity drops too low, eggs lose water too fast and chicks may not survive.

⚠️ Notice: Small changes in temperature or humidity can speed up or slow down hatching. Always monitor your incubator closely for best results.

You can use a  egg incubator or  cabinet incubator to keep these settings stable.

Egg Turning

Turning each egg often helps the embryo grow in the right position. If you do not turn eggs enough, you risk higher death rates and weak chicks. Problems from poor turning include:

• More early and late embryo deaths

• Chicks stuck in the wrong position

• Sticky shells that trap chicks

Aim to turn eggs about 24 times a day for best results.

Storage and Handling

How you store eggs before incubation matters. Eggs stored up to 7 days usually hatch well. If you store eggs longer than 10 days, hatch rates drop and chicks may hatch late. For shipped eggs, let them rest 12–24 hours before setting them in the incubator. Handle all eggs gently to avoid cracks or damage.

Egg Size and Shell

Larger bird eggs often take longer to hatch than smaller ones. Thick shells can make candling harder, so use a strong light in a dark room. During incubation, eggshells lose weight as chicks grow. This is normal and shows healthy development.

Parental Care

Some bird species rely on parents to keep eggs warm and turn them. If you use an incubator, you must copy these actions. Good parental care or careful incubation helps eggs hatch on time.

If you want more tips, check  incubation guides. Using the right equipment and careful handling gives your chicks the best start.

Hatching Process

Lockdown Period

You reach the final stage of the hatching process in the last 2–3 days before chicks emerge. This is called the lockdown period. You stop turning each egg so the hatchlings can position themselves for hatching. You also raise the humidity in your incubator to 70–80%. This helps soften the shell and makes it easier for the chicks to break through.

Tip: Start lockdown when you see the expected hatch date approaching. Use  incubation guides for step-by-step instructions.

• Stop turning eggs 2–3 days before hatch.

• Increase humidity to 70–80%.

• Avoid opening the incubator during lockdown.

Candling Timing

You use candling to check the development of each bird egg. Candling means shining a bright light through the shell to see inside. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Candle eggs at 7 days in a dark room. Look for a dark spot and spider-like veins.

2. If you do not see an embryo, wait a day or two and check again.

3. Avoid candling during the first few days and the last few days of incubation.

4. Candle again at 14 days. Remove any eggs that show no growth.

5. Check the air sac size to monitor humidity.

Candling helps you spot healthy growth and avoid problems like rotten eggs.

For more details, visit  incubation guides.

Signs of Hatching

You notice the first sign of the hatching process when a tiny hole appears on the egg’s surface. This is called pipping. The chick uses its beak to break the shell. You may hear soft peeping sounds as the bird works to escape. The hatching process can take several hours. The chick chips away at the shell until it finally emerges.

Stay patient and avoid opening the incubator. For more help, use  incubation guides.

Ready to learn more? Explore  incubation guides for expert tips on every step of the hatching process.

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Explore egg incubator Options

Picking the right incubator helps eggs hatch well. You should look for features that fit your needs. Think about the type of bird you want to hatch. Some incubators turn eggs by themselves. Others have digital controls. These features make hatching easier and more dependable.

Here is a quick comparison of popular models:

When you pick an incubator, check these important features:

You can find more tips in  egg incubator and  cabinet incubator guides.

Read More in incubation guides

If you want to know more about hatching, check  incubation guides. These guides show you each step. They help you set up your incubator and care for chicks after they hatch. You will get advice for many bird species. There are also tips for fixing common problems.

• Step-by-step help for every stage

• Tips for candling and checking growth

• Advice on changing temperature and humidity

�� Begin your hatching journey with confidence. Use  incubation guides to help every egg and every bird you care for.

You now know most bird eggs hatch within a predictable range. Always check your species for the best results.

• Small songbirds may hatch in 9–14 days.

• Larger birds, like barn owls or condors, can take 30–60 days.

• Keeping the right temperature (99.5–100°F) and humidity helps each egg develop well.

• Changes in these settings or rough handling can shift hatch times by a few days.

For more details, explore  incubation guides and use the right tools for every hatch.

FAQ

How can you tell if an egg is fertile?

You can candle the egg after 7 days. Look for veins or a dark spot inside. If you see clear signs of growth, the egg is fertile. For more details, check  incubation guides.

What should you do if eggs hatch early or late?

Check your incubator settings. Temperature or humidity changes can cause early or late hatching. Make sure you follow the recommended guidelines in   incubation guides for best results.

Can you hatch wild bird eggs at home?

You should not try to hatch wild bird eggs. Local laws protect many species. Wild eggs need special care. It is best to leave them in their natural habitat.

Why do some chicks not hatch?

Some eggs may not develop due to poor storage, low fertility, or incorrect temperature. Always handle eggs gently and follow  incubation guides to improve your success rate.

What is the best way to clean an incubator after hatching?

Unplug the incubator. Remove all shells and debris. Wash with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely before using it again. This helps prevent bacteria and keeps your next hatch healthy.

�� Want more tips? Visit  incubation guides for step-by-step help on every stage of hatching.