How to Know When An Egg is Hatching

Hatching eggs is pretty easy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Incubator
• Setting hen
• Thermometer

1. 
    
   Incubating Eggs

   You will come to enjoy the spring of the year, especailly if you are hatching out eggs. I use an incubator for almost all my eggs.

2. Of course if your turner happrns to go out, you'll either need to spring an extra 49.00 to buy another one, or turn them by hand. If turning by hand, you will need to do so at least twice a day, perferably more if you have the time.

3. 
    
   Egg 1

   Chicken eggs normally start hatching in 26 to 28 days. Some will hatch out early, while others tend to run a couple of days behind. as you can see in this photo there is a tiny hole on the side.

4. 
    
   Egg 2

   Normally you will hear the chicks "peeping" before they even start hatching. Alyhough, it is not uncommon for them to hatch out very quietly. This one is well into the hatching stage.

5. 
    
   Egg 3

   If the chick seems to be getting out of the shell on its own, then leave them to do it naturally. This process can take all day, since they stop to rest in between efforts to get out.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep warm between 95 and 100 degrees.
• Keep humidity around 50

[loganberry]

on 2/6/2009 Thanks for sharing

[AmyRose]

on 2/4/2009 Good to know you might be able to hear them before they start hatching. Good article 5 and recommended. (Now if someone would just tell me how to know which eggs will hatch out male, and which female :) )

[Biscuit4u]

on 1/5/2009 Thanks for sharing this information. Nice to know.