Hatching Chicken Eggs With An Egg Incubator

Using an egg incubator is the best way to create a controlled environment for hatching chicken eggs. Discover everything you need to know about using an incubator for eggs, including how to set it up and tips for a successful hatch from an experienced chicken keeper!

Everything To Know About a Chicken Incubator

If your hen lays a fertile egg, her natural instincts will usually take over, and she'll begin the incubation process by sitting on her eggs to keep them warm. However, if your hen isn't broody or you want to hatch larger quantities of eggs, a chicken incubator is your only option. 

An egg incubator mimics the conditions a hen would create when sitting on her eggs. It helps maintain the correct temperature, humidity, and ventilation for successful hatching. Some incubators even have automatic egg-turning capabilities - an essential part of the incubation process. 

Combined, these factors give the eggs the best possible chance of successfully hatching into healthy chicks. 

But what makes a good egg incubator, and what are some important things to keep in mind when using one? 

I've hatched countless eggs using an incubator and have had my fair share of successes and failures. Here's everything you need to know about a chicken incubator - directly from someone who's been through it all.

Finding A Good Incubator For Eggs

A quick search online and you'll be bombarded with various different egg incubators! To break it down, here are the two main types: 

• Still-Air Incubators: These incubators use natural convection (heat rising) as they don't have a fan. This means the temperature can vary inside them, with the top half being warmer than the bottom. They're usually more affordable but require a bit more attention due to the manual temperature regulation.
• Forced-Air Incubators: These incubators use a fan to circulate the air, resulting in more consistent and even temperatures. They can be a bit pricier but are reliable and easier to use. You can also hatch different sized eggs at once in a forced-air incubator.

If you plan to hatch eggs regularly, I recommend a forced-air incubator. It’ll give you better results with less effort and stress!

Aside from type, here are some other factors to consider when choosing an incubator for eggs: 

Temperature Control

Incubation under a hen is a natural process. The hen instinctively adjusts her body temperature to keep the eggs warm, and an incubator needs to mimic this as closely as possible. 

Different brands and models of incubators will recommend different temperature ranges based on their design. Generally, the ideal temperature for incubating chicken eggs ranges from 99 to 100°F (37-38°C). 

I personally prefer egg incubators with a digital temperature display. It's easier to read (no manual thermometer needed) and is usually more accurate. Even the slightest fluctuations in temperature can affect the hatch rate, so it's important to check and adjust the temperature as needed. 

Humidity Control

Many people are surprised when I tell them how important humidity is for hatching eggs! But it makes sense - when a hen sits on her eggs, her body releases moisture that helps keep them hydrated and moist. 

If an egg loses too much moisture, the membrane inside can dry out and shrink, making it harder for the chick to break through during hatching. 

Humidity is calculated as a percentage, known as relative humidity (RH). Chicken eggs need a different RH% during different stages of incubation: 

• First 18 days: 50-55% RH
• Final 3 days (known as lockdown): 65-70% RH

Modern incubators usually have a humidity display and automatic controls. This way, you can easily adjust the humidity levels as needed without having to monitor it constantly. 

Air Circulation

Chicken eggs are porous and need to breathe during the incubation process. 

An efficient air circulation system in an incubator helps provide fresh oxygen for the developing embryos and removes excess carbon dioxide. It also prevents "dead zones" where heat and humidity can become uneven, potentially harming the developing chicks.

Egg Turning Capabilities

An incubator with automatic egg-turning capabilities is definitely a 'nice to have' feature!

A broody hen will turn her eggs multiple times a day, which is necessary for proper embryo development. Rotating the eggs also prevents the embryo from sticking to one side of the shell. 

Some incubators have an automatic egg turner that gently rotates the eggs every few hours. If your incubator doesn't have this feature, you'll need to turn the eggs manually.

How to Successfully Use An Egg Incubator

There are so many variables at play when hatching eggs with an egg incubator. We want to set ourselves up for success by keeping these tips in mind: 

Choose the Right Location

Keep your incubator away from drafts, direct sunlight, or heat sources. We don't want any drastic temperature or humidity fluctuations.

Clean the Incubator

Thoroughly clean and disinfect the incubator a week before you plan to use it. This will create a sterile environment in which your eggs can develop.

A mild bleach solution (⅓ cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water) works well. Don't get the heating element or electronics wet, though! Let everything dry completely before adding the eggs.

Follow the Manufacturer's Instructions

Each incubator is unique and may require different settings or steps to set up. Check the manufacturer's instructions and follow them accordingly.

Calibrate the Temperature and Humidity

Always calibrate your incubator before adding the chicken eggs. You want to make sure the temperature and humidity readings are accurate. An inexpensive thermometer and hygrometer can be used to double-check the settings.

Let the Incubator Run for 24 Hours Before Adding Eggs

Once you've set up your incubator, let it run for a full day before adding any eggs. This will allow the temperature and humidity to stabilize. You can also check the egg-turning feature (if applicable) is working properly.

Keep Water Levels Topped Up

Eggs need a certain level of humidity during the incubation process. Always keep your egg incubator water reservoir topped up!

Let Eggs Settle

If you order your eggs online, let them rest for 24 hours before adding them to the incubator. This will allow the eggs to settle and reach room temperature, reducing the risk of temperature shock when they’re placed in the incubator.

Use Fresh, Quality Eggs

The success of your egg incubation depends heavily on the quality of your eggs. 

Get fresh eggs from a reputable source. Make sure they are free of cracks or damage and uniform in size and shape.

Hatch at Least 6 Eggs

I always recommend incubating at least 6 eggs at a time. This increases the chances of having a successful hatch, as some eggs may not be viable or survive the incubation process. Plus, watching multiple chicks hatch is the best experience!

How Long Does It Take to Hatch Chickens From An Egg Incubator?

Amazingly, it takes only 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch in an incubator! From egg to chick, the incubation process is a short but crucial time for the development of a baby chicken. 

One of the first things I do when setting up my incubator is to mark the "hatch date" on my calendar. But it's not as simple as marking 21 days from the start date. Eggs don't know what day or date they were placed in the incubator!

For example, if you put your eggs in the incubator at 7 pm on the 1st of the month, day 21 (hatch day) would actually end at 7 pm on the 22nd. One day equals 24 hours when hatching eggs, not just until midnight. This means each day in the incubator will likely span over two calendar dates. 

Here's a breakdown of the 21-day incubation period:

• Day 1: Setting the Eggs
  • When everything is set and stable, the eggs can be placed in the incubator. This is called "setting" the eggs.
• Days 1-18: Incubation
  • The temperature and humidity levels should be carefully monitored and adjusted if needed. 
  • Eggs must be rotated regularly (3 or 5 times daily) to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. It's recommended to turn eggs an odd number of times to ensure the embryo doesn't stay in the same position for too long overnight.
    • Always wash your hands before handling the eggs to avoid transferring any bacteria onto them. 
    • Turn eggs gently, 180 degrees or one half-turn each time.
    • An egg incubator with a built-in auto-turner is a great investment if you plan to hatch eggs regularly. 
• Days 7-10: Candling
  • This is the process of shining a bright light through the eggs to check on the embryo development. 
  • Infertile eggs or those with dead embryos should be removed from the incubator. Don't worry if you don't know how to candle eggs; I'll cover that later in this guide!
• Days 18-21: Lockdown
  • The eggs should not be turned during the last few days of incubation. This is called "lockdown". Candle them one last time to check the chick is still developing.
    • During this stage, the humidity levels should be increased to 65-70% RH.
• Day 21: Hatching
  • Congratulations, you've made it to Hatch Day! This is an exciting and nerve-wracking stage as you wait for your chicks to hatch.
    • Provided everything has gone well during incubation, the chicks will start to ‘’pip’’ (break through) the eggshell with their beaks. 
    • Avoid opening the incubator during this time, as it can disrupt the hatching process. Let nature take its course, and trust that your chicks know what they're doing.

Fertilized Chicken Egg Stages

Are you wondering what’s happening inside the egg during the incubation process? Knowing what happens at what stage can help when candling eggs and monitoring their progress.

Let's take a closer look at the different stages of chicken embryo development:

• Day 1: First signs of embryo development (the blastoderm).
• Day 2: Blood vessels appear in the outer ring of the embryo, and the heart starts beating. 
• Day 3: Nose, legs, wings, and lungs start forming.
• Day 4: Eyes start taking on color.
• Day 5: Reproductive organs form.
• Day 6: The beak starts forming, and the embryo begins to move voluntarily.
• Day 7: Comb begins to grow, and egg tooth (for hatching) starts developing.
• Day 8: Feather tracts can be seen - the start of feather development.
• Day 9: Beak lengthens, and mouth can open. 
• Day 10: Toes start developing claws, and the beak begins to harden. The egg tooth becomes more prominent.
• Day 11: Embryo becomes very active. Toes curve, flight feathers become visible, and serrations form on the comb.
• Day 12: Toes are fully formed.
• Day 13: Scales on the feet start to form.
• Day 14: The embryo turns its head to the larger end of the egg in preparation for hatching.
• Day 15: The gut is fully formed and pulled into the embryo's body.
• Day 16: Feathers continue to develop.
• Day 17: Albumen (egg white) starts to shrink, and the beak turns to the air cell within the egg.
• Day 18: The embryo is almost fully formed.
• Day 19: Yolk sac starts to be absorbed.
• Day 20: The Yolk sac is completely drawn into the body, and the chick is ready to hatch.
• Day 21: Hatch day! The chick hatches from its shell and enters the world. 

As you can see, a lot happens inside an egg during the three-week incubation period. It's truly amazing how much development takes place in such a short amount of time!

How To Candle Chicken Eggs

Candling is used to check the development of an embryo inside an egg. It involves using a bright light source to shine through the egg and reveal any abnormalities or signs of life. People used to use a candle for this process, hence the term "candling," but nowadays, a flashlight or egg candler is common practice.

I usually candle my chickens' eggs between 7 and 10 days of incubation to check for fertility and development. This allows me to remove any infertile eggs and see how many eggs could potentially hatch. I also candle just before "lockdown" (the last few days before hatching) to check that the eggs are still viable.

To candle your chicken eggs, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands before handling the eggs to avoid transferring any bacteria.
2. Choose a dark room with minimal light - night time is best.
3. Hold the egg gently and put your light source (flashlight or egg candler) against the largest end of the egg, with the light shining upwards.
4. By day 10, you should see tiny spider-like veins spreading out from the center of the egg. This is a sign that the embryo is developing.
5. If you see a ring of red blood vessels around the egg, this means the embryo has stopped developing and is not viable. Another sign the embryo has stopped growing is if the egg appears clear or has a dark spot with no visible veins.

Avoid candling your eggs too often, and always return them to the incubator quickly after checking. Constant changes in temperature and humidity can impact the embryo's development.

One thing to note: dark-shelled eggs (like from French Marans or Welsummers) can be very difficult to read. Use a flashlight with more lumens (brightness) to make the veins and embryo easier to see.

Signs An Egg Is About To Hatch

If your egg is about to hatch, you're going to know about it! 

You might see the eggs "dancing" or moving, hear chirping sounds from inside the egg, and see small cracks appearing on the shell. 

The ''pip'' (the first hole the chick makes in the eggshell) is then followed by the ''zip'' (a crack that extends around the egg). Once the chick has fully ''zipped'' around the egg, it will push itself out and enter the world!

As tempting as it may be, don't disturb the hatching process. The chick is actively working to break through the shell, and any interference could harm or slow down the process. 

Also, don't open the incubator during this time! It can cause the humidity levels to drop and dry out the shell membrane - trapping the chick inside.

Stages of Hatching Chicken Eggs

1. The chick will enter the air cell, which is located at the blunt end of the egg. This is how they get their first breath of air.
2. Next, the chick will create a ''pip'' in the outer shell by using its egg tooth (a small, temporary growth on its beak).
3. The chick then begins to ''zip'' around the egg, breaking through the shell piece by piece.
4. Finally, the chick will push itself out!

Chicken Egg Incubator FAQ