Hatching Chicks

You can choose to grow your flock by hatching your eggs in an incubator. This can be a lot of fin and is great for kids. There is a process to this though to ensure that the maximum number of eggs hatch. Decide how many eggs you want to hatch at the same time.

It may take a few days to get the number of eggs you want, that’s okay, they don’t have to go into the incubator immediately. The day before you place the eggs inside, make sure the incubator is up and running and that the temperature ranges from 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

You will need an accurate thermometer because if the temperature climbs over 103 or dips under 99 it could kill the chicks inside.

Place the turner inside the incubator and plug it in to make sure it works. Place the eggs wide side up into the turner.

Make sure the containers with water are full, the humidity will help keep the eggs from drying out, the humidity should be between 60% and 65% for the first 18 days. That level should be increased to 80%- 85% in the last three days. A hygrometer can help you gauge humidity levels. There are digital thermometer/hygrometer devices sold in most cigar stores. You can also purchase them from amazon.com – Acu Rite Indoor Humidity Monitor

The hatching time for chickens is 21 days. Occasionally, a chick will hatch early or late but for the most part, 21 days is standard.

On the eighth day, you will have to candle the eggs. Some of them may not be fertilized.

To candle them, place a high powered flashlight underneath them. Some people use a toilet paper roll over the flash light so they don’t blind themselves when candling eggs. If you see red veins running the length of the egg that means the egg is fertilized. Place it gently back into the turner and repeat the procedure for each egg. If you don’t see the red veins, there is a good chance the egg hasn’t been fertilized.

On the tenth day, candle the ones you did not see a vein in. Leave the others where they are. You should be able to see veins and a mass beginning in the center of the egg. If there are still no veins, discard the egg carefully. If by some chance you miss one that ends up exploding in the incubator, remove it immediately and gently wipe off the mess that landed on the other eggs. The gases in this rotten egg can kill the chicks inside the other eggs.

On the eighteenth day you will remove the turner from the incubator and gently place the eggs onto the screen. Close the incubator when you have removed the turner.

Check the humidity levels every two to three days to ensure that the levels are conducive to successful hatching. If need be, add or reduce water.

When you begin to hear the peeping, and yes you will hear it before they emerge from the shell, you will know your chicks are on their way. Keep the incubator closed, as tempting as it might be to open it up and watch your chicks hatch. It keeps the heat and humidity steady essential for the other chicks to survive.

One special note of caution: The experts will tell you that helping a chick emerge from the shell is dangerous because if the chick isn’t strong enough to emerge, it won’t survive. There is an element of truth to that, however, in some situations, i.e., the membrane is dry, or the chick is coming out upside down, the chick will be just fine even if helped out of the shell.

The chicks should remain in the incubator for at least 24 hours, until their feathers are dry and they have a fluffy appearance. Don’t worry about feed for this first day as they will eat the remainder of the nutrients in the egg. After the first day, place them into a nursery area that is kept at 99 degrees Fahrenheit with access to food and water.

They can be placed outside once their feathers have grown and they are more feather than fluff. Make sure it is an area separate from the other chickens and is predator proof. They will grow very fast in the next few weeks.