Instructions for Chicken Egg Incubation

Whether you start with your own chickens or with eggs, if you want more chickens you need to know how to incubate the eggs once produced. While we eat unfertilized chicken eggs, fertilized eggs are also necessary to produce the next generation of egg layers. To incubate eggs, start with your own hens and at least one rooster for every 10 hens. Alternatively, you can acquire fertilized eggs from a hatchery, breeding farm or biological supply company.

Things You'll Need

  • Incubator
  • Egg turner (optional)
  • Water tray
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the incubator in a location with a consistent ambient temperature between 70 and 75 degrees.

    • 2

      Connect the incubator to a reliable electrical source where it cannot be easily unplugged.

    • 3

      Check the temperature of the incubator for at least 24 hours before incubation. Make sure that the temperature stays between 99 and 103 F.

    • 4

      Mark one side of each egg with an "X" and the other side with an "O." This allows you to keep track of the sides while turning. You can skip this step if you have purchased an automatic egg turner.

    • 5

      Place a water tray in the incubator under the egg tray. Measure the relative humidity regularly -- maintain 50 to 55 percent relative humidity.

    • 6

      Turn the eggs three times per day unless you have an automatic turner.