Instructions for Hatching Chicken Eggs

It takes approximately 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch into a cute, fluffy chick. Most chicken eggs will never hatch, because they have not been fertilized. Eggs from the grocery store are no good for hatching, since they are not fertile. Even if they were, the refrigeration would kill the embryo inside. In order to successfully hatch chicks, you need fertile eggs.

Things You'll Need

  • Incubator
  • Water
  • Thermometer
  • Hygrometer
  • Fertile chicken eggs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your incubator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add water to the incubator, and place a thermometer and hygrometer inside. The temperature should be approximately 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity of 50 percent for the first 18 days. On day 19, increase the humidity to 70 percent to keep the chicks from becoming dehydrated.

    • 2

      Obtain fertile chicken eggs from a reliable source. You can purchase eggs online, or get them locally from a breeder, or from a hobbyist who has a rooster in her flock. Female chickens lay eggs without a rooster, but they are not fertile.

    • 3

      Mark the eggs with an X on one side using a pencil, so you can tell if they've been turned. Chicken eggs should be turned at least three times a day from days one through 18. This prevents the embryo from sticking to the wall of the egg and coming out deformed. After day 18, stop turning the eggs.

    • 4

      Check the eggs for signs of development after three days. Hold the egg with the pointed side up in one hand, and turn off the lights in the room. Place a small flashlight against one side of the egg, and block the sides of the beam with your other hand. Make sure all the light shines through the egg.

    • 5

      Look for dark areas inside the egg. Lines are signs of developing veins. If the egg is not showing any dark areas or lines by the seventh day, it is either infertile or the embryo has died and the egg should be thrown away.

    • 6

      Check the eggs for signs of hatching after 20 days. Chicken eggs normally hatch at around 21 days, but sometimes the eggs are a little early, or a little older than you expect.