Recently there have been some questions and concerns about hatching eggs in incubators. After reviewing online information from hatcheries and extension publications I have listed some helpful tips if you’re considering hatching your own birds.

1. Start with undamaged eggs that are fresh, clean and fertile. You can produce your own or source them from a reliable source. Store less than 10 days with large end up. Maintain temperature between 55 to 65 F with relative humidity at 75 percent. Turn eggs stored for more than a week and always handle with care.

2. There are several types of incubators. Popular models often include automatic turners, humidifiers, and temperature controllers. There are forced air or still air incubators. The temperature and humidity in forced air incubators are more consistent and recover quickly after being opened. Regardless of the type used for a successful hatch you must turn the eggs and monitor the temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Put the incubator in a room that has no drafts and direct sunlight. Clean and sanitize the incubator before use and run it for several days to make sure it is functioning properly.

3. Let eggs warm to room temperature for 4-8 hours before placing in incubator. After 4 hours make proper adjustments to the incubator unless the temperature exceeds 102F. The final temperature should be +-.5 degrees above or below 99.5F. Humidity at 58%. Turn eggs at least 5 times a day until 3 days before hatch. Do not turn for the final 3 days. Decrease temperature by one degree and Increase humidity to 65-70 percent at hatch.

4. Candling of eggs can be done to help monitor embryo development. This can be done at 8-12 days of incubation. The living embryo will appear as a dark spot in the large end of the eggs surrounded by a faint outline of blood vessels. This will grow larger as the incubation progresses. You can expect some mortality.

5. Make notes daily of the incubator environment daily, candling results and other items you notice so you can help determine any malfunctions or practices to correct to improve hatchability.

6. Sometimes chicks may take several hours to hatch. Do not assist as those you have to assist will not survive or not thrive.

7. Once chicks successfully have left the shell increase ventilation in the incubator and leave them about 24 hours or until their feathers dry. Once dry remove them from the hatcher to a warm brooder with feed and water.

8. The incubation period varies with the type of fowl being incubated. Different species require different times. A few of the common eggs hatched are listed. Chickens 21 days, Dove 14 days, Duck 28 days, Muscovy Duck 35-37 days, Geese(various) 22-30 days, Bobwhite Quail 23 days and Turkey 28 days. There is information for others on days and humidity from online sources if interested.

Visit our website: www.LSUAgCenter.com

Matt Lee, Interim LSU Vice President for Agriculture
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

LSU College of Agriculture
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