Incubation Guide Part 4: Managing Poultry Egg Hatching Day

Introduction
Whether you're incubating chicken, duck, quail, or goose eggs, the final stage—hatching day—requires patience, precise environmental control, and minimal interference. Here’s how to handle it effectively:
Be Patient – Let Nature Take Its Course
When you hear peeping or see the eggshell cracking, do not rush to help. The hatching process can take 12 to 24 hours, or even longer, and is a crucial phase where hatchlings strengthen their lungs and muscles.
👉 Premature assistance often leads to bleeding, weakness, or even death.
Maintain High Humidity & Proper Ventilation
Keep relative humidity between 65%–75% (adjust for your species). Low humidity can dry the membrane, making it harder for the chick to emerge.
Ensure the incubator has adequate airflow, especially in the final stages, as embryos require more oxygen. Open ventilation ports as needed but avoid cold drafts.
🔗 Learn more in our Incubation Guide – Temperature, Humidity & Ventilation.
Limit Lid Openings – Every Second Matters
Opening the incubator causes sudden drops in temperature and humidity, which can harm unhatched eggs. Use a transparent lid or internal camera to observe hatchlings.
Only open the lid when a large number of chicks have hatched and need to be moved quickly.
Should You Help Hatch? Only as a Last Resort
You should never help a hatchling unless absolutely necessary. Only consider intervention if:
The chick has pipped the air cell end and ruptured the inner membrane.
It has been struggling for more than 24 hours without progress.
You can confidently avoid any blood vessels.
⚠️ Even with experience, this step is risky. If unsure, it's best to wait and watch.
Post-Hatch Care: When to Move the Chicks
After hatching, do not remove the chicks immediately. Let them dry inside the incubator for 6 to 12 hours, until their feathers are dry and fluffy.
At this stage, they don’t need food or water yet. Once dry, transfer them gently to a brooder preheated to 32–35°C (89–95°F), with 50–60% humidity.
🔗 Prepare for this step with our Beginner’s Brooder Setup Guide.
🔗 Need help choosing the right model? Explore our Egg Incubator Collection.
✅ Pro Tips for Better Hatching Success
Do a quick check before lockdown (final 3 days): water pans filled, vents open, auto-turner off.
Label your eggs before lockdown for easier identification during candling or issues.
👉 The journey continues! Continue reading Part 5: Post-Hatch Care for Chicks and Poultry to discover how to nurture and care for your chicks after they hatch.