Chicken Egg Hatching Guide

First, we would like to thank you for purchasing your hatching eggs from us!

Just a few tips in case you are new to incubating shipped eggs!  (Please note, these are only recommendations based on our experience.  We suggest doing your research.)

Egg Arrival:  After your eggs arrive, please inspect the package for any damage.  Take pictures of any damage as you may need this you the USPS insurance claim.  Carefully unwrap each egg.  Candle each egg to check air cells and look for any surface cracks.  Place them in an egg carton fat side upwards in a cool location for 12-24 hours to settle!

Incubation:

We recommend forced air incubators with automatic turners.  You can also hand turn your eggs if necessary.  It is recommended to get your incubator ready at least 48 hours in advance and get all its vital measurements stabilized.  You will want to ensure temperature and humidity is stable for at least 12 hours before setting eggs.

  • Incubation time: 18 days
  • Incubator temperature: 37.2°C (99.5°F)
  • Incubator humidity: 55% or 84.5°F if you use a wet bulb thermometer.
  • Egg turning: 4 times a day
  • Candling eggs: Day 7 (remove any eggs that didn’t start developing a vascular system)

 

Lock Down:

This is the end of incubation where the eggs are prepared for hatching.  Remove the eggs from the turner and lay them on their side.  Stop turning and do not open the incubator or hatcher. 

  • Lockdown Date: Day 19
  • Lockdown temperature: 37.2°C (99.5°F)
  • Lockdown humidity: 65% or 88°F if you use a wet bulb thermometer.

 

Hatching:

Your chicken should hatch between days 20-21.  Chicks can survive a day or two after hatching using the nutrients absorbed from the egg yolk, so it’s important not to open the hatcher until all eggs have hatched.  Once all eggs have hatched or you’ve exceeded 48 hours, past the first egg hatching, remove the chicks and place into brooder.  Ensure their feathers have completely dried off.

Brooding:

Place chicks in a brooder with heat (lamp or heating plate, water a food.  Dip their beaks in the water and food to show them where it is.  You may have to repeat this a few times.  Brooder temperature recommendations:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

95F

90F

85F

80F

75F

70F

65F

Time for Outside

 

Feed is key for chicks.  They require a high protein diet for their first 18 weeks of life.  We recommend a medicated 20-22% protein chick starter/grower until 18 weeks of age, then 16-17% protein chicken feeds or layer feed.

Our goal is for you to hatch beautiful chicken!  Thank you, again & happy hatching!