How to Incubate Chicken Eggs? If you’re a backyard chicken keeper, hatching your own chicks can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Incubating chicken eggs allows you to control the entire hatching process, from selecting the eggs to caring for the chicks.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of incubating chicken eggs for a successful hatch.
You may also want to read about the best chicken incubator.
How to Incubate Chicken Eggs?
How to Incubate Chicken Eggs? Follow these three steps for a succesful hatch:
Step 1: Selecting Eggs for Incubation
The first step in incubating chicken eggs is to carefully select the eggs you want to hatch. Choose fresh eggs from healthy hens that are free from any cracks or deformities. Eggs that are too large or too small, misshapen, or dirty should be avoided as they may have lower hatch rates.
It’s also important to note that fertilized eggs are needed for incubation. If you have a rooster in your flock, chances are that your eggs are fertilized. However, if you’re not sure, you can perform a simple “float test” to check for fertility. Place the eggs in a bowl of water, and if they sink and lay flat, they are likely fertile. If they float or stand upright, they are likely not fertilized and should not be used for incubation.
How to Incubate Chicken Eggs?
Step 2: Preparing the Incubator
Once you have selected the eggs, the next step is to prepare the incubator. A reliable incubator is crucial for a successful hatch. You can purchase a quality incubator or build your own, but regardless of the type, it should have the following features:
- Temperature control: The incubator should have a thermostat that allows you to maintain a constant temperature of 99.5°F to 100°F (37.5°C to 37.8°C) throughout the incubation period.
- Humidity control: The incubator should also have a humidity control system to maintain the proper humidity level of 50% to 60% during the first 18 days of incubation and increase to 65% to 75% during the final days of hatching.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to provide fresh air to the developing embryos. The incubator should have vents that allow for the exchange of air without creating drafts.
- Egg turning mechanism: Chicken eggs need to be turned regularly during incubation to prevent the embryos from sticking to the shell. The incubator should have an automatic egg turning mechanism or you can turn the eggs by hand at least three times a day.
Before placing the eggs in the incubator, make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize it to create a clean and sterile environment for the developing embryos.
Step 3: Incubating the Eggs
Now that your incubator is ready, it’s time to start the incubation process.
- Place the eggs in the incubator: Gently place the eggs in the incubator with the pointed end down and the larger rounded end up. This allows the air cell to develop properly and the chick to position itself for hatching.
- Set the temperature and humidity: Set the incubator to the recommended temperature of 99.5°F to 100°F (37.5°C to 37.8°C) and the initial humidity level of 50% to 60%. Monitor the temperature and humidity regularly using the built-in thermometer and hygrometer or separate instruments.
- Turn the eggs: If your incubator doesn’t have an automatic egg turning mechanism, you need to turn the eggs by hand. Gently rotate the eggs 180 degrees from side to side at least three times a day to prevent the embryos from sticking to the shell.
- Candle the eggs: After 7 to 10 days of incubation, you can candle eggs to see if they have a developing chick in it.
