Prepare the incubator approximately 3 to 4 days before hatching. Resist the urge to help with the hatching process! Newly hatched chicks are susceptible to stress and you may cause an injury or accidental death. * Incubation time may vary according to a host of factors including weather, size of incubator, size of egg, fertility of egg and vigor of the embryo. (Normal incubation times for other birds are shown below.) The typical incubation period of most chickens is 21 days. Most incubators are designed to exchange the inside air through built-in vents.
The room should be free from drafts and have an ambient temperature between 68☏–77☏. Choose eggs of normal shape (they must not be elongated, spherical, undulated or with any other malformation).įind a suitable location for your incubator.
This can contaminate all the eggs, causing infections to the embryos and resulting in premature death during hatching.
Otherwise, all you need is an incubator and a little perseverance.
If you have a broody hen, you can use a simple nesting box for incubation. Hatching poultry from eggs is a fun, rewarding experience.