Top 10 Hatching Supplies Every Newbie Needs

Starting your first hatching project is exciting. You might worry about keeping the temperature steady. You may also worry about handling eggs gently. Many beginners think it is hard to control humidity. It can be tough to get everything ready. If you get the right tools and set up well, your chicks will be safe. They will have a healthy start.

Key Takeaways

• An incubator is very important for hatching eggs. Pick one that works for you and your money. Make sure it keeps the right temperature and humidity.

• Check temperature and humidity every day. Keep eggs at 100.5°F. Keep humidity between 50% and 55%. This helps eggs hatch well.

• Get a safe brooder box ready for chicks after they hatch. Make sure it has enough room, warmth, and clean bedding. This helps chicks grow strong.

Essential Supplies for Hatching

If you want to hatch eggs at home, you need the right supplies. These items help keep your chicks safe and healthy. Let’s look at what you need for a good hatching experience.

Incubator

The incubator is the most important part of your setup. It keeps eggs warm and safe until they hatch. The incubator controls both temperature and humidity. These are very important for chicks to grow well. You can pick from mini, tabletop, cabinet, or commercial incubators. Mini incubators are best for small groups. Cabinet incubators are good for bigger projects.

When you choose an incubator, check for features like automatic egg turning, digital temperature control, and easy cleaning. Some good beginner models are Brinsea, Nurture Right 360, Borotto Lumia, MATICOOPX, and Little Giant. Prices go from $50 to $550, so you can find one that fits your budget.

A good incubator helps more chicks hatch by keeping eggs at the right temperature and humidity. Automatic egg turning keeps the yolk in the middle and helps the chick grow. For the best results, pick an incubator with good controls and strong performance.

Thermometer

You need a thermometer to check the incubator’s temperature. Eggs must stay close to 100.5°F to grow right. Even a small change can hurt the chicks. Pick a thermometer that is accurate within ±0.5°F. Good brands are Brinsea Spot Check and HovaBator Genesis 1588. These have clear screens and alarms for changes.

Tip: Put the thermometer at egg level in the incubator for the best reading.

Hygrometer

A hygrometer checks the humidity inside your incubator. Eggs need humidity between 55% and 60% for most of the time. In the last days, raise humidity to at least 60%. A digital hygrometer with a clear screen and calibration is best. The Small Digital Thermometer Hygrometer is a favorite. It is very accurate, has a backlight, and the battery lasts a long time.

Egg Candler

An egg candler lets you see if eggs are fertile and watch chicks grow. It uses a bright LED light to look inside the egg without hurting it. The Brinsea Egg Candler is a great choice for beginners. It has a strong light and stays cool, so eggs do not get too hot. Other good brands are Titan Incubators and Magicfly Bright Egg Candler LED.

To use a candler: 1. Go into a dark room. 2. Put the big end of the egg on the candler. 3. Turn on the light and slowly turn the egg. 4. Look for veins and movement. 5. Take out any eggs that are clear or not growing.

Fertile Eggs

You need fertile eggs from healthy chickens. Get eggs from grown birds and flocks that are well cared for. The best eggs come from local farms where you can see the birds. Online sellers with good reviews are okay, but shipping can lower hatch rates. Most hatcheries say 70% to 80% of fertile eggs will hatch, but shipped eggs may hatch less.

Note: Pick eggs from breeders with a good rooster-to-hen ratio and no crowding.

Brooder Box

After chicks hatch, they need a brooder box for warmth and safety. Each chick should have at least ½ square foot of space. For the first two weeks, ¼ square foot per chick is enough. Use strong plastic bins or wooden boxes. Do not use cardboard because it gets wet and can fall apart.

A good brooder helps chicks grow strong and keeps them calm. Put pine shavings or straw on the bottom for bedding. Never use newspaper because it is too slippery and can hurt their legs.

Get the bedding ready before chicks arrive. Pine shavings soak up droppings and keep chicks warm. Make sure feeders and waterers are clean and set up.

Heat Lamp or Brooder Heater

Chicks need to stay warm after hatching. You can use a heat lamp or a brooder heater. Heat lamps are cheap and easy to find. They work well for big groups and cold weather. Brooder heaters cost more but feel like a mother hen and save energy.

Safety is important. Always make sure the lamp is secure and away from things that can burn. Check it often for problems. Give chicks space to move away if they get too hot.

Chick Feeder

A chick feeder gives food without wasting it. Pick feeders that are strong and easy to clean. Feeders with raised sides keep food clean and stop spills. Some feeders have anti-bully ports to stop chicks from fighting. Automatic feeders make feeding easy and keep food ready all day.

• No waste technology

• Anti-bully ports

• Easy to clean and fill

• Adjustable feed levels

Chick Waterer

Chicks always need clean water. Use waterers that stop spills and keep water clean. Nipple waterers work well because they keep water fresh and reduce mess. Bell drinkers and waterer cups are good for small groups. Put marbles in the water to keep chicks from drowning.

Wash waterers every day with mild soap. Stainless steel waterers are easier to clean than plastic ones. Change water often, especially when it is hot.

1. Clean water bowls or founts regularly. 2. Give fresh water at least once or twice a day. 3. Use a tray under the waterer to catch drips. 4. Clean with a mild vinegar mix.

Bedding Material

Bedding keeps chicks comfy and soaks up wetness. The best bedding is aspen shavings, hemp, shredded paper, medium or coarse sand, and chopped straw. Do not use hay, sawdust, or anything that holds mold or ammonia.

Change bedding at least once a week. If you have lots of chicks or it gets dirty, change it every day to keep chicks healthy.

With these supplies, you are ready to start hatching. Good planning and the right tools help your chicks grow strong.

Beginner's Guide to Incubation

Setting Up

Starting your first incubation can feel overwhelming, but you can do it! Here’s a simple way to set up your incubator:

1. Place your incubator on a sturdy table near an outlet.

2. Fill the middle reservoir with half a cup of water.

3. Plug in the incubator a day before adding eggs.

4. Set the temperature to 99°–100.8°F and let it stabilize.

5. Adjust humidity in your incubator to about 50%.

6. Mark your eggs with a pencil so you can track turning.

7. Add eggs only after both temperature and humidity in your incubator are steady.

Don’t forget to remind everyone not to unplug the incubator at night or on weekends!

Monitoring Temperature & Humidity

You need to check temperature and humidity in your incubator every day. For most chicken eggs, keep the temperature at 100.5°F. Try to keep humidity in your incubator between 50% and 55% for the first 17 days. Some breeds may need small changes, so always check what your eggs need. If you see the humidity in your incubator dropping, add more water to the reservoir. If it gets too high, open a vent for a short time.

• Chicken eggs: 100.5°F, 50–55% humidity in your incubator

• For the first three weeks: 45–55% humidity in your incubator

Turning Eggs

Turning eggs is a big part of incubation. You should turn eggs about 3-5 times a day until day 18. This helps the chick grow right and keeps it from sticking to the shell. Most incubators do this for you, but you can turn eggs by hand if needed. Stop turning eggs after day 18. If you stop too early, hatch rates drop. Keep up with turning for the best hatching results.

The beginner's guide to incubation always reminds you: check your eggs, watch your humidity, and keep your temperature steady. You’ll soon see fluffy chicks!

Checklist of Essential Supplies

Checklist

Ready to get started? Here’s a handy checklist you can use before you begin your hatching adventure. Print it out or keep it on your phone. You’ll feel more confident when you know you have everything you need!

• Incubator
  Make sure it works well and holds the right number of eggs for your project.

• Thermometer
  Double-check that it gives accurate readings. Place it at egg level for best results.

• Hygrometer
  Use this to watch humidity. Eggs need the right moisture to develop.

• Egg Candler
  This tool helps you see inside the eggs. You can check if chicks are growing.

• Fertile Eggs
  Choose eggs from healthy birds. Avoid cracked or dirty eggs.

• Brooder Box
  Set up a safe space for chicks after they hatch. Use a sturdy box or bin.

• Heat Lamp or Brooder Heater
  Keep chicks warm. Make sure the lamp or heater is secure and safe.

• Chick Feeder
  Pick a feeder that stops spills and keeps food clean.

• Chick Waterer
  Use a waterer that prevents drowning and keeps water fresh.

• Bedding Material
  Choose safe bedding like pine shavings or straw. Change it often.

Tip: Gather all your supplies before you start hatching. This way, you won’t have to rush out for missing items when your chicks arrive.

�� Check off each item as you set up. You’ll feel ready and organized for your hatching journey!

Tips for Hatching Success

Common Mistakes

You want your chicks to thrive, but some mistakes can ruin your hatching plans. Watch out for these common problems:

• Using malformed or dirty eggs can cause contamination. Always pick clean, healthy eggs.

• Store eggs at room temperature for no more than 10 days before you start setting up the incubator.

• Not testing your starter incubator before use can lead to wrong temperature or humidity. Always check before adding eggs.

• Letting the temperature spike can harm your baby chicks. Keep a close eye on your thermometer.

• Don’t help a baby chick hatch. It may seem kind, but it often causes more harm than good.

• Forgetting about adjusting humidity or ventilation can lower your hatch rate.

Tip: Before calculating the hatch date, double-check your incubator settings and make sure you have everything ready for lockdown.

Brooder Setup

A safe brooder box is key when you raise baby chicks. Choose sturdy materials like galvanized tanks or octagon brooders. For the first few days, use soft paper towels. Switch to hemp bedding as your chicks grow. Give each baby at least 0.5 to 1 square foot of space for the first two weeks. After that, increase to 1 square foot per chick. Make sure the brooder is draft-free, with walls at least 12-18 inches tall. Place your brooder in a secure spot, away from pets and drafts. Use a heat lamp or radiant heater to keep your chicks warm. Good ventilation helps keep the air fresh.

Raising Baby Chicks

When you raise baby chicks, focus on warmth, food, and water. Keep your heat lamp at the right height so chicks can move closer or farther away. Use a chick feeder and chick waterer to give easy access to food and water. Change water twice a day and clean feeders often. Give your baby chicks starter food for the first few weeks. Watch for signs of stress, like peeping or huddling. Good ventilation and clean bedding help prevent sickness. During lockdown, avoid opening the incubator. Let your chicks hatch on their own. After hatching, move each baby to the brooder box quickly. With care, you’ll raise baby chicks into strong chickens.

Before you start, make sure you have every supply ready. Careful planning and daily checks help your chicks thrive.

• Ask questions or share your hatching stories below!

  You can do this—every great chicken keeper started as a beginner. Good luck and happy hatching! ��

FAQ

How many eggs can you hatch at home for your first try?

You can hatch as many eggs as your incubator holds. Most beginners start with 6–12 eggs. This number helps you learn and watch each hatch closely.

What should you do if your eggs do not hatch on time?

Sometimes eggs hatch late. Keep the incubator running for two extra days. Do not open it often. Wait and watch. Some eggs just need more time to hatch.

Can you hatch eggs from the grocery store?

No, you cannot hatch eggs from the grocery store. These eggs are not fertile. You need fertile eggs from a farm or hatchery if you want chicks to hatch.