How Long Do You Leave Hatchlings in an Incubator?

Chicks develop at a very consistent rate. Inside an incubator, an entire clutch will hatch out in the span of a single day. Shortly after hatching, chicks dry out and begin exploring. They are ready to be moved out of the incubator once the whole clutch has hatched.

  1. Flock Behavior

    • The chicks actually help each other hatch.

      Newly hatched chicks frequently lean against unhatched eggs and will even cheep encouragingly back and forth with chicks still in their shell. This behavior helps the hatching chicks by keeping the shell damp and cracking the shell away from the chick.

    Temperature

    • A healthy chick will dry out and start exploring the incubator.

      Chicks need to be totally dry and fluffy before the incubator is even opened. This keeps the temperature consistent and the humidity correct for the other hatching eggs. Chicks do not need additional food or water for three days because they will have absorbed the remaining egg yolk directly into their stomachs right before they hatch.

    Space Requirements

    • Crowding encourages disease, stunting and cannibalism.

      Home incubators are typically too short to keep chicks and too small for much room to roam. Once all the chicks have hatched and are dry, moving them to a brooder will help them grow and develop healthy bones and muscles.