How to Develop a Chicken Egg

Developing a fertilized chicken egg through incubation to hatching requires a delicate balance of temperature, humidity, ventilation and activity. A hen naturally creates the ideal environment for hatching eggs in her nest. However, an incubator automatically controls all of these factors and is a useful tool if you do not have a good brooding hen.

Things You'll Need

  • Fertilized eggs
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase fertilized eggs from a reputable hatchery or collect fertilized eggs from your own flock.

    • 2

      Write an "X" on one side of each egg and an "O" on the opposite side with the pencil. Only use a pencil. Inks from pens or markers can seep through the pores of the eggshell and harm the developing embryo.

    • 3

      Plug in and turn on the commercial incubator or set up your homemade incubator, turning on the heat source. Place water in the humidity pan.

    • 4

      Place a thermometer and a hygrometer inside the incubator. Monitor the temperature and the level of humidity inside the incubator during the next 24 hours. The temperature must steadily stay between 99 and 102 degrees. The humidity must remain at a constant 50 to 55 percent. Adjust the heat source, the size of the humidity pan and ventilation accordingly to stay within these ranges.

    • 5

      Place the fertilized eggs into the incubator.

    • 6

      Turn the eggs three times a day, using the "X" and "O" marks to keep track.

    • 7

      Candle the eggs after three days to determine fertility by placing the egg in front of a flashlight or lamp and looking at the shadows inside the egg. A cloudy spot or mass indicates a developing embryo. A clear egg has no developing embryo.

    • 8

      Return the eggs to the incubator and continue turning three times each day and monitoring temperature and humidity for 15 more days.

    • 9

      Stop turning the eggs for the next three days and increase the humidity to 65 percent.

    • 10

      Watch the chicks hatch on the 21st day of incubation. The chicks will be wet and clumsy. As they dry and move, they're movements will become more stable. All of the eggs should hatch within 24 hours. Leave the chicks in the incubator until all of the eggs hatch, the chicks are dry and fluffed and their movements are stable.

    • 11

      Move the chicks to a brooder and provide dry starter feed and water.