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How to incubate chicken eggs, day by day

Twenty-one days, three numbers to watch and one day you must not open the lid.

Updated November 2026 · 8 min read

A chick breaking out of its shell on an incubator's wire floor
Photo: grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
The short version
  • Chicken eggs hatch in about 21 days at 100°F in a forced-air incubator; still-air models run 2–3°F warmer at egg-top height (MSU).
  • Humidity targets vary by source: Brinsea gives 45–50% RH, then 65%+ for hatching; follow your incubator's manual first.
  • Turn eggs at least 4–6 times a day (an odd number by hand) and stop on day 18 (MSU).
  • Candle around days 7 and 14 and remove clear eggs or eggs with a blood ring (4-H, Illinois Extension).
  • From day 18 (lockdown) keep the lid closed, raise humidity and open vents; hatch usually comes on day 21.

Learning how to incubate chicken eggs comes down to holding three things steady for three weeks: temperature, humidity and turning. Get those right and most of the work is waiting. Get them wrong and the hatch comes early, late or not at all.

This guide gives you the setup steps and a day-by-day plan, using Mississippi State University's incubation table, the University of Missouri's incubation guide, Brinsea's humidity guidance and 4-H embryology candling days. Where sources disagree, the rule is the same: your incubator's manual comes first, and you check its built-in display against a separate thermometer and hygrometer.

What do you need to incubate chicken eggs?

  • Fertile eggs. Grocery-store eggs are almost never fertile (Missouri Extension). Buy hatching eggs from a hatchery, an NPIP-tested breeder or a local keeper with a rooster.
  • An incubator. Forced-air (with a fan) holds an even temperature; still-air is cheaper but has a temperature gradient. An automatic turner with auto-stop saves a week of hand-turning.
  • A separate thermometer and hygrometer. Built-in sensors drift. Use a second reading at egg height.
  • A candler. A bright LED light lets you see inside the shell on days 7 and 14.
  • A brooder ready by day 20. Chicks move out about 12 hours after hatching (Missouri). See how to set up a brooder.

These incubators cover the common sizes. Specs are as listed by each maker; compare more in best incubator for beginners and best egg incubators.

ProductEgg capacityTurningHumidityFanDisplay
Brinsea Mini II Advance 7-Egg Incubator7 chicken eggs; 12 small eggs with optional insertAutomatic with auto-stopManual, external water top-upForced-air (fan-assisted)Digital countdown; room-temp and high/low temp alarms
Nurture Right 360 Incubator, 22 Eggs, Auto Turner22 chicken, 12–18 duck or 22–24 pheasant eggsAutomatic with auto-stopDisplay and control knobForced-air (360° induced airflow)Digital temperature and humidity
GQF 1588 Hova-Bator with 1611 Auto Turner—Automatic (1611 turner, 6 universal racks)—Forced-air (circulated air)Digital temperature and humidity
Farm Innovators 4250 Circulated Air Incubator, 41 Eggs41 eggsAutomaticManual, E-Z Fill water channelsForced-airTemp, humidity, days to hatch; Hi/Lo light

Specs as listed by the maker or seller; check the listing before you buy.

How should you store and choose hatching eggs?

The University of Missouri gives clear storage rules. Cool eggs to 45–55°F soon after laying at about 70–75% relative humidity, store them large end up and set them within 3–4 days if you can. Never store fertile eggs longer than two weeks, and if you hold them more than a week, tilt them from side to side so the contents do not stick to the shell. A household fridge at 40–45°F is too cold and lowers hatchability.

Hatching eggs packed in a foam tray inside a shipping box
Shipped hatching eggs should rest before setting.Photo: CBP Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pick clean, normal-sized, normal-shaped eggs with sound shells. Skip cracked, dirty, thin-shelled or very large or small eggs. Do not wash or sand hatching eggs: Missouri notes that this removes the protective cuticle. MSU adds that soiled eggs hatch less well and that hands should be clean and free of grease before handling eggs.

What temperature and humidity do chicken eggs need?

Here is the full species table this site uses, from MSU (days, temperature, wet-bulb, stop-turning day) with Brinsea's relative humidity figures. Chickens are the first row.

Incubation by species: forced-air settings, with the still-air offset

SpeciesDays to hatchForced-air tempStill-air tempWet-bulb, days 1 to lockdown → last 3 daysRelative humidityStop turning (day)
Chicken21100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–87°F → 90°F45–50% → 65% or more18
Duck (most breeds)28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F55–60% → 70% or more25
Muscovy duck35–37100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more31
Coturnix quail17100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–86°F → 90°F40–50% → 65% or more15
Bobwhite quail23–24100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F84–87°F → 90°F40–50% → 65% or more20
Turkey2899°F (37.2°C)101–102°F84–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Goose28–3499°F (37.2°C)101–102°F86–88°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Guinea fowl28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F85–87°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Pheasant23–28100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F86–88°F → 92°F58–60% → 65% or more21
Peafowl28–3099°F (37.2°C)101–102°F84–86°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more25
Chukar partridge23–24100°F (37.8°C)102–103°F81–83°F → 90°F58–60% → 65% or more20

Days, temperatures, wet-bulb and stop-turning days: Mississippi State University Extension, Important Incubation Factors. Still-air: add 2–3°F, measured at the top of the eggs (MSU). Relative humidity: Brinsea, Humidity during incubation for chickens, ducks and quail; other species show MSU's general 58–60%. Follow your incubator's manual first.

Temperature. MSU gives 100°F for forced-air incubators, with total variation kept within 1 degree, and 102°F for still-air units measured at the top of the eggs. Missouri targets about 99.5°F for forced air. Both are within the normal range; pick the figure your manual uses and hold it steady. Running warm brings an early hatch, running cool a late one, and either lowers the number of chicks (MSU).

Humidity. This is where sources differ most. Brinsea suggests 45–50% RH for chicken eggs, rising to 65% or more for the hatch; MSU's general figure is 58–60% (84–86°F wet-bulb) then 65%+; Missouri says 60–65% then 70%. The real goal is weight loss: Missouri says eggs should lose about 11–14% of their weight from day 1 to day 18. A large air cell at candling means humidity has been too low; a small one means too high.

21 daysChicken incubationMSU Extension
100°FForced-air temperatureMSU Extension
45–50%RH days 1–18 (Brinsea)Brinsea, Humidity during incubation
11–14%Egg weight loss by day 18University of Missouri Extension, G8353

A cheap digital hygrometer next to the eggs is the single best upgrade for a first hatch.

How to incubate chicken eggs: the day-by-day plan

Chicken incubation calendar

DayWhat to doSource
Day −1Run the empty incubator for 24 hours; check temperature and humidity with a second instrumentManufacturer manuals
Day 0Let eggs reach room temperature, then set them large end up (or on their side with the large end slightly raised). Never small end up. Write the date.MSU
Days 1–6Hold temperature and humidity; turn at least 4–6 times a day (odd number by hand) or let the turner run. Handle gently: early embryos are fragile.MSU
Day 7First candle. Remove clear eggs and eggs with a blood ring.4-H embryology
Days 8–13Keep steady; top up water with warm water as your manual says.Missouri
Day 14Second candle. Remove eggs that stopped developing. Check air cell size against humidity.4-H; Missouri
Days 15–17Last days of turning. Move eggs to the hatching tray if your model uses one.MSU
Day 18 (lockdown)Stop turning, raise humidity to 65%+ (Brinsea) and open vents as the manual says. Optional quick final candle, then close the lid.MSU; Brinsea
Days 19–21Do not open the lid. Pips appear, then zips; most chicks hatch on day 21.MSU
Hatch + 12 hLet chicks dry and fluff (about 12 hours), then move them to a warm brooder.Missouri

Source: MSU Extension; University of Missouri Extension G8353; Virginia 4-H embryology record sheet; Brinsea

Incubation calculator by speciesEnter your set date to get candling days, lockdown and hatch day, with a calendar file.

For a record of each hatch (eggs set, developing, hatched, readings), use the printable hatch log.

How do you turn eggs, and when do you stop?

Turning keeps the embryo from sticking to the shell membranes. MSU recommends at least 4–6 turns a day and stopping for the last 3 days, which is day 18 for chickens. Missouri suggests an odd number of turns by hand (5, 7 or 9) so the egg spends alternate nights on alternate sides, and warns against rolling eggs in a full circle.

Brown and blue-green eggs lying on the rails of an automatic egg turner
Eggs on turner rails; turning stops at lockdown.Photo: Santeri Viinamäki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you turn by hand, mark one side of each egg with an X and the other with an O in pencil so you can see which ones you missed. An automatic turner tray or a model with auto-stop removes the guesswork, and an add-on turner can upgrade a basic incubator. Each turner below fits specific models (HovaBator, Farm Innovators or Little Giant), so match it to your incubator.

When and how should you candle?

4-H embryology programs candle chicken eggs on days 7 and 14, with an optional look at lockdown. Illinois Extension notes that white shells can show development as early as day 3, brown shells by day 5 or 6. A fertile egg shows a reddish spot with spreading blood vessels; a clear egg is infertile or stopped very early; a blood ring means the embryo died. Work in a dark room and keep each egg out only briefly.

The full how-to, with what each stage looks like and tips for dark shells, is in how to candle eggs.

What happens at lockdown and hatch?

On day 18, stop turning, raise humidity and open vents further: MSU says to keep vents almost fully open during hatching. Then leave the lid shut. Opening it drops humidity fast, and the membranes around a pipping chick can dry and trap it. Missouri lists chicks stuck to membranes as a sign of low humidity, and chicks too weak to hatch as a sign of too much.

Newly hatched wet chick lying next to its broken shell on incubator mesh
A newly hatched chick dries off on the incubator floor.Photo: Kevin Shorter, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

A chick first pips a small hole, then rests for hours before zipping around the shell. Do not help unless your manual or a vet advises it. Missouri notes that roughly 2 of every 10 eggs normally fail to hatch and that chicks hatching more than 24 hours after the rest are often weak. Remove leaking or cracked eggs promptly, since they can burst.

Home and classroom hatches: CDC handling rulesChicks can carry Salmonella even when they look clean. Wash hands with soap and water after touching eggs, chicks or the incubator, supervise children's handwashing, and don't kiss or snuggle chicks. Children under 5 should not handle chicks. Plan where the chicks will live after the hatch before you set eggs.Source: CDC Healthy Pets, Backyard Poultry

Running a hatch at school? See hatching projects at school and home and the hatching project hub.

Common incubation mistakes to avoid

  • Trusting the built-in display alone. Check with a second thermometer at egg height.
  • Measuring a still-air incubator at the floor. MSU's 102°F is at the top of the eggs.
  • Storing eggs in the fridge or for more than two weeks (Missouri).
  • Washing hatching eggs. It strips the cuticle.
  • Opening the lid during lockdown. Humidity drops and pipping chicks can get stuck.
  • Placing the incubator in a sunny window or drafty room. Room swings show up inside. Many manuals give a minimum and maximum room temperature.
  • No plan for roosters. About half of hatched chicks are male; check your town's rules first.
  • Skipping cleaning. Missouri recommends cleaning and disinfecting the incubator between hatches, keeping water out of electrical parts.

Different species? Duck, quail, turkey and goose eggs need different days and humidity; see the incubation chart by species or browse the incubation hub.

Verdict

Use a forced-air incubator with an automatic turner, verify it with a separate thermometer and hygrometer, and follow the 21-day calendar: candle on days 7 and 14, stop turning and raise humidity on day 18, then keep the lid closed until the chicks are dry.

Incubation calculator by speciesPick a species and the day you set the eggs: get candling days, the stop-turning (lockdown) day and the…Printable hatch logKeep a hatch log in your browser: set date, species, eggs set, daily temperature, humidity, turning and…

Questions

What temperature should an incubator be for chicken eggs?
MSU gives 100°F for forced-air incubators and 102°F at egg-top height for still-air models. Missouri targets about 99.5°F for forced air. Use your manual's figure and keep it steady within about 1°F.
What humidity do chicken eggs need?
Brinsea suggests 45–50% RH for days 1–18 and 65% or more for the hatch. MSU and Missouri give slightly higher figures. Check air cell size and egg weight loss (about 11–14% by day 18) to fine-tune.
When do you stop turning chicken eggs?
On day 18, three days before the expected hatch on day 21 (MSU). This start of the hatching phase is called lockdown.
Can I open the incubator during lockdown?
Avoid it. Opening the lid drops humidity quickly, which can dry the membranes around pipping chicks. If you must, be quick and only for an emergency.
How long can hatching eggs be stored before incubation?
University of Missouri Extension recommends setting eggs within 3–4 days and never storing them longer than two weeks, at 45–55°F and 70–75% humidity, large end up.
Why didn't my chicken eggs hatch?
The most frequent causes are wrong temperature or humidity, followed by poor ventilation, turning or sanitation (MSU). Infertile eggs, old or chilled eggs and rough handling in the first week also play a part.
Should I help a chick hatch?
Usually no. Chicks often rest for hours between pipping and zipping. Opening the lid to help can harm the others. If a chick is clearly stuck for a long time, follow your incubator manual or ask a veterinarian.

Sources

  1. Mississippi State University Extension, Important Incubation Factors
  2. University of Missouri Extension, Incubation of poultry (G8353)
  3. Brinsea, Humidity during incubation
  4. Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H, Embryology record sheet (candle days 7, 14 and 18)
  5. University of Illinois Extension, Candling eggs
  6. NC State Poultry 4-H, Egg temperature chart
  7. CDC Healthy Pets, Backyard Poultry