Hatching chickens at home is fun and exciting! You get to watch eggs turn into fluffy chicks in just 21 days. It’s a great way to learn about life and caring for animals. The best part is waiting for hatch day—listening for tiny peeps and seeing chicks break out of their shells. Whether you want a backyard flock or just love the experience, it’s a magical process!
Proper incubation is key to a successful hatch! Eggs need the right temperature, humidity, and turning to grow healthy chicks. If conditions are off, chicks may not develop or hatch properly. Keeping the incubator steady and following each step helps ensure strong, happy chicks on hatch day!
To make hatching even more fun, I’ve created a free printable hatching tracker! Kids can color in the eggs each day and follow along as the chicks grow. It also marks important days, like candling and lockdown, to help you stay on track. Download it below and enjoy the journey to hatch day!
Getting Started: What You Need
Before you begin incubating eggs, you’ll need a few essential supplies to ensure a successful hatch. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one is important:
1. Incubator: Choosing the Right One
An incubator keeps the eggs at the perfect temperature and humidity for the entire 21-day process. There are two main types:
- Manual Incubators: You must turn the eggs by hand multiple times a day. This option is more hands-on but works well if you’re willing to monitor them closely.
- Automatic Incubators: These have built-in egg turners that rotate the eggs for you. They are easier to use, especially for beginners, and help ensure even development.
Whichever you choose, make sure you have a reliable thermostat and humidity control.
2. Fertile Eggs: Where to Get Them & How to Handle Them
Not all eggs will hatch—you need fertile eggs from a farm with a rooster. You can find them from:
- Local farms or breeders.
- Online hatcheries that ship fertile eggs.
- Your own flock (if you have a rooster).
Handling Tips:
- Store eggs pointy side down before placing them in the incubator.
- Keep them at room temperature (not in the fridge).
- Try to set them within 7 days of being laid for the best hatch rate.
- Handle eggs gently to avoid damaging the growing embryo.
3. Thermometer & Hygrometer: Keeping Conditions Stable
The right temperature and humidity are critical for a successful hatch.
- Thermometer: The incubator should stay at 99.5°F (37.5°C) for most of the incubation period. A digital thermometer gives the most accurate reading.
- Hygrometer: Measures humidity, which should be 40-50% for the first 18 days and 65-70% for the last few days before hatching. Too much or too little moisture can affect chick development.
Having backup thermometers and hygrometers is always a good idea to double-check readings.
Once you have everything set up, you’re ready to start incubating your eggs!
Setting Up the Incubator
Once you have your incubator and fertile eggs, it’s time to set everything up for a successful hatch. Keeping the right conditions from the start will help ensure strong, healthy chicks.
1. Temperature & Humidity: The Key to a Good Hatch
Maintaining the right temperature and humidity is crucial for chick development.
- Temperature: Set the incubator to 99.5°F (37.5°C) and keep it as steady as possible. Even small temperature changes can affect the hatch rate.
- Humidity:
- Days 1-18: Keep humidity between 40-50% to support proper chick development.
- Day 18 onward (Lockdown Phase): Increase humidity to 65-70% to help chicks hatch more easily.
Use a thermometer and hygrometer to check these levels daily.
2. Turning the Eggs: Why It’s Important
Eggs need to be turned regularly to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. This mimics how a mother hen naturally moves her eggs.
- Manual Turners: If your incubator doesn’t have an automatic turner, you’ll need to turn the eggs by hand 3-5 times a day. Marking one side with an “X” and the other with an “O” helps you track which side was last up.
- Automatic Turners: These rotate the eggs automatically at regular intervals, making incubation much easier. If you have an automatic turner, keep it running until Day 16, then turn it off for “lockdown.”
3. Placement: Where to Keep Your Incubator
Where you place your incubator can affect temperature stability. Keep it in a draft-free, stable environment where conditions won’t change too much.
- Avoid windows (direct sunlight can cause temperature spikes).
- Keep it away from vents and doors to prevent temperature and humidity fluctuations.
- Place it on a level surface to keep eggs from shifting unevenly.
- If using a still-air incubator (without a fan), slightly higher temperatures (100-101°F) may be needed to ensure even heating.
Once everything is set up, your incubator is ready, and the countdown to hatch day begins!
Tracking the Hatch with the Free Printable
Hatching chicks is an exciting process, but it can also be tricky to keep track of all the important steps. That’s why I created a free printable hatching tracker!
This tracker makes it fun and easy to follow the 21-day incubation journey. Kids can color in an egg each day as they count down to hatch day, helping them stay engaged and learn about the process. It also marks important milestones, so you know exactly when to candle the eggs, stop turning them, and prepare for hatching.
Special Days Marked with “*” on the Tracker
The tracker includes key days with a “*” to remind you of important steps:
- Day 7: First Candling
- Candling means shining a light through the egg to check if the chick is developing.
- You should see veins and a dark spot (the growing embryo). If an egg is clear, it may not be fertile.
- Day 14: Second Candling
- Check eggs again to see how the chicks are growing.
- Non-developing eggs should be removed to prevent bacteria from spreading.
- Healthy embryos will fill most of the egg by this stage.
- Day 16: Lockdown!
- Time to stop turning the eggs—whether manually or with an automatic turner.
- Increase humidity to 65-70% to help chicks hatch.
- Do not open the incubator anymore—disturbing eggs at this stage can harm the chicks.
- Day 20: Hatch Week!
- Look for tiny cracks or “pips” in the shell, which means a chick is getting ready to hatch.
- Resist the urge to open the incubator—chicks need high humidity to hatch properly.
- Let nature take its course and wait for those fluffy little arrivals!
By using this tracker, you and your kids can follow along and know exactly what to do each day. It’s a fun and simple way to make hatching even more special! Download it below and get started on your hatching adventure!
Hatch Week: What to Expect
The final days of incubation are the most exciting! After patiently waiting for 20 days, it’s finally time for the chicks to start hatching. Here’s what to watch for and what to do (or not do) during this crucial stage.
Signs of Hatching
Around Day 20, you’ll start noticing signs that the chicks are getting ready to hatch:
- Pipping: The first sign of hatching is a tiny crack or hole (pip) in the eggshell. This means the chick has broken through the inner membrane and is starting to breathe air.
- Rocking: You might see the egg wiggle or move slightly as the chick shifts inside.
- Chirping: If you listen closely, you may hear soft peeping sounds from inside the egg—this is the chick communicating as it prepares to hatch!
These signs mean hatching is near, but patience is key!
How Long Does It Take from Pip to Hatch?
Once an egg is pipped, it can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for the chick to fully hatch. This is normal! The chick is resting and absorbing the yolk, which gives it the strength to finish hatching.
After the pip, the chick will slowly chip away at the shell, making a circular crack (called “zipping”). Once the zip is complete, the chick will push itself out of the shell.
Important: It might look like the chick is struggling, but this is part of the process. Hatching takes time!
When to Step In (And When Not To!)
It’s tempting to help, but intervening too soon can be harmful. Here’s what you need to know:
✅ When to Leave It Alone:
- If a chick has pipped but isn’t making progress, wait at least 24 hours before worrying.
- If the humidity is stable and there are no clear signs of distress, let nature take its course.
🚨 When to Step In:
- If a chick has been stuck for more than 24 hours after zipping starts and is clearly struggling, it may need help.
- If a chick is partially out but seems stuck due to dried membranes, you can carefully add a little warm moisture (like a damp paper towel) around the shell to soften it.
- Be cautious—assisting too early can cause bleeding or serious harm if the chick isn’t ready.
Once your chicks have hatched, let them dry and fluff up in the incubator for 12-24 hours before moving them to a brooder. The first few moments of life are critical for them to rest and gain strength!
Hatch week is an amazing experience—stay patient, trust the process, and enjoy watching new life emerge!
Caring for Newly Hatched Chicks
Once your chicks have hatched, the real adventure begins! Proper care during the first few days is crucial for their health and development.
Leaving Chicks in the Incubator Until Dry
After hatching, it’s important to keep the chicks in the incubator until they are completely dry and fluffy. This could take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Here’s why:
- Drying: The chicks need time to dry off and fluff up their feathers, which helps them regulate body temperature.
- Energy: The drying process allows them to rest and recover from the exertion of hatching.
Avoid removing them from the incubator too soon, as they may get too cold and stressed. Keep the incubator’s temperature around 95°F to ensure they stay warm while drying.
Setting Up a Brooder
Once your chicks are dry and fluffy, it’s time to move them to a brooder—a warm, safe space where they can continue growing. You can check out my post on our budget-friendly set up or here’s a quick guide on what you’ll need to set it up:
- Heat Lamp:
Chicks need warmth to stay healthy, so set up a heat lamp (or brooder plate) that maintains a temperature of 95°F for the first week.- Monitor the temperature: If chicks are huddling under the lamp, it might be too cold. If they’re avoiding it, the brooder may be too hot. Adjust accordingly.
- Bedding:
Use clean, soft bedding like shredded paper towels or wood shavings (avoid cedar, as it can be harmful). The bedding helps absorb moisture and waste, keeping the brooder clean and dry.- Keep the bedding about 1-2 inches deep.
- Food and Water:
- Chick starter feed should be available to them at all times. This special feed provides all the nutrients they need for healthy growth.
- Fresh water should also be readily accessible. Ensure the water container is shallow to prevent drowning, and use a chick waterer if possible to minimize spills.
First Few Days of Care
During the first few days, the chicks will still need a bit of extra care:
- Adjusting Temperature:
Keep the brooder temperature at 95°F for the first week, and then reduce the temperature by 5°F each week until the chicks are fully feathered (around 6 weeks old). - Monitor Behavior:
Healthy chicks should be active and curious, eating, drinking, and pecking around the brooder. If they seem lethargic or refuse to eat or drink, something might be wrong. - Health Checks:
Watch for signs of illness, such as fluffed feathers, lack of movement, or discharge. If you notice anything concerning, it’s best to consult a vet. - Socialization:
Chicks are social creatures, so make sure they’re not alone. Keeping them in a small group helps them feel safe and comfortable.
As the chicks grow and become more independent, you can gradually lower the temperature in their brooder and introduce them to new experiences like foraging. Keep an eye on their development and make adjustments as needed to ensure they stay healthy and happy!
By giving them the right care during these early days, you’ll set your chicks up for a strong start in life.
Download Your Free Hatching Tracker!
I’ve created a FREE printable hatching tracker designed to help you and your kids stay on track throughout the 21-day incubation process. It’s not just a great tool for organization, but it also adds a fun, interactive element to the learning experience!
The tracker is filled with adorable, egg-shaped countdowns that kids can color in as each day passes, making it a hands-on way to follow the chicks’ journey from incubation to hatch. As you approach the final days, there’s a special illustration of a chick hatching out of an egg on Day 20, marking the start of Hatch Week!
How to Get Your Free Tracker
Click the link to download your free hatching tracker:
