How to Raise Baby Chicks From Incubators

Hatching chicken eggs can be a bit challenging. It's always best to use a broody hen, but eggs can be successfully raised to pip time in an incubator. Hatching and brooding the birds is time-consuming but worthwhile, as waiting for the eggs to hatch and watching the chicks break free from the eggs is engaging. Always use a quality incubator and follow the instructions for each model to ensure a high percentage of hatching chicks.

Things You'll Need

  • Fertile eggs
  • Incubator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the incubator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the incubator in a temperature-stable room (temperature should be between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Run the incubator for a few days before adding the eggs. Watch that the incubator temperature stays around 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the eggs clean and at room temperature; do not wash them.

    • 2

      Place the eggs in the incubator with the smaller end set down. Fill the water trays with warm (around 99 degrees Fahrenheit) water or follow the manufacturer's instructions for the machine. Set the humidity between 50 and 55 percent. Mark the eggs with a pencil to facilitate the turning process. Turn and carefully rotate the eggs at least twice a day.

    • 3

      Candle the eggs at day 7 by shining a flashlight, or using a candler, into the larger end and look for a network of veining inside the egg (there will be a dark area as well). Discard infertile eggs (clear or muddy when candled). Raise the humidity slightly at day 18 and stop turning the eggs. Prepare the brooder area for the coming chicks. Open the air vents at day 21; the chicks will hatch in 21 days.