How to Easily Incubate Chicken Eggs
Whether hatching eggs for a small farm or home usage, in order to have the eggs hatch properly you will need an incubator. Forced-air incubators are large and equipped with a fan, while still-air incubators are smaller and do not have fans. Both will properly incubate your eggs. Order fertilized eggs and test your incubator for 24 hours before incubating.
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Instructions
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Set the temperature and preheat for at least two hours. In a forced-air incubator set the temperature at 95.5 degrees Fahrenheit. In a still-air incubator, the temperature should be kept at about 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Place the eggs into the incubator. Do not adjust the temperature for the first 48 hours after setting the eggs. The temperature will naturally go down in the incubator for the first few hours. The incubation period is about 21 days.
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Set the humidity at 58 to 60 percent. Increase to 65 percent after 21 days or when the eggs start hatching.
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Turn the eggs about half a turn four to six times a day. However, do not turn the eggs after 18 days of incubation. Doing so would threaten the eggs hatching properly.
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Keep your distance. After 18 days of incubation, it is best to not intervene with the hatching process. Do not turn the eggs; and once the eggs begin hatching, do not attempt to assist the chicks by touching the egg. The hatching process should be completed within 24 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Wash your hands before touching any eggs to ensure the chicks will stay healthy.
Baby chickens are difficult to care for. Make sure you have a home for baby chicks before trying to hatch eggs.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
