Last updated: Oct 27, 2025
If you’re hatching pigeon eggs for the first time, success mostly comes down to steady temperature, consistent humidity, and reliable turning. A good machine makes those variables boring—in the best way. Before you set the first clutch, choose dependable pigeon egg incubators that support small eggs, frequent turns, and simple humidity control.
Incubation Period (How Long)
Most pigeon eggs hatch in 17–19 days, commonly around day 18 if your temperature is steady. Cool averages push later; hot averages pull earlier. Think of “time + stable environment” as the two keys.
Quick settings overview
Use this cheat sheet as your starting point. Fine-tune based on your room climate and the specific incubator you’re using.
| Parameter | Target for hatching pigeon eggs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.5–100.0°F (37.5–37.8°C) in forced-air units | Keep swings within ±0.5°F; prolonged high temps → early/weak hatches |
| Humidity (incubation) | ~55–60% RH | Adjust with vent opening & water surface area |
| Turning | Every ~1–2 hours (auto best) or manual 3–5×/day at ~40–45° | Stop at lockdown |
| Candling | Day 5–7, then Day 10–12 | Remove clears, monitor air cell size |
| Lockdown humidity | ~65–70% RH | Increase ventilation slightly during active pipping |
| Typical hatch window | Day 17–19 (often ~Day 18) | Small temp drifts shift timing by ~±1 day |
Pro tip: Small countertop machines lose heat fast when opened. Use models with a clear viewing window and stable controls—see our incubators for hatching pigeon eggs.
Candling Chart (Day-by-Day)
Tip: Watch the air-cell growth. If it’s too small for the day, run a little drier; if too big, run a little wetter. Adjust gently (≈±3% RH).
| Day | What you should see | If not, adjust |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Veins forming; small air cell | Air cell too small → lower RH ~3% |
| 10 | Embryo shadow; larger air cell | Air cell too big → raise RH ~3% |
| 14 | Dark mass; clear air-cell boundary | Weak growth → verify temperature uniformity |
| 16 | Large air cell; prep lockdown | Stop turning; set RH 65–70% |
| 18 | Internal pip; minimal handling | Avoid opening; keep humidity stable |
Optional graphic to include: pigeon-egg-candling-chart-day-by-day.webp (alt: “Pigeon egg candling day-by-day: veins at day 5; embryo by day 10; large air cell by day 16; internal pip day 18.”)
Pigeon Eggs Not Hatching After 21 Days
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Re-candle to confirm development (vs. clear/early death).
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Check temperature history: low averages delay hatches; verify with an independent thermometer.
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Species check: be sure they’re pigeon eggs (other doves can differ).
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Humidity problems: too low → shrink-wrap risk; too high → sticky chick.
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Power loss / frequent opening: note any dips; if development is positive, you can wait to day 22.
If there’s no development by day 21–22, follow safe disposal guidelines.
How to Care for a Pigeon Egg (Rescues & Alternatives)
If you found a single egg, first consider not hatching. A humane alternative is fake-egg replacement (feggs) to prevent unintended breeding. If you proceed with incubation, stick to the settings above, avoid frequent opening, and line up hand-rearing support before day 18.
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Option A: Contact a local wildlife/pigeon rescue for guidance.
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Option B: Use a broody foster pair instead of artificial incubation.
Gear checklist
Set yourself up so “boring and steady” is the default.
- Incubator made for small eggs or with small-egg trays
- Automatic turning (ideally 1–2h cadence)
- Independent thermometer & hygrometer for calibration
- Easy-fill water channels or external top-up port
- Viewing window to reduce lid opening
- Audible/visual alarms for temp/humidity swings
- Non-slip hatch liner for lockdown
- Sanitation kit: mild disinfectant, soft cloths, drying area
Need an all-in-one that makes setup fast? Compare pigeon egg incubators that combine precise heat, frequent turning, and simple humidity control.
Incubation timeline
Day 0–1: Pre-heat & calibrate
- Run the incubator for 12–24 hours at target settings to stabilize.
- Cross-check temperature and humidity with independent instruments.
- Load eggs small end down. Start the turner (or schedule manual turns).
Days 2–6: Early development
- Hold 99.5–100.0°F and ~55–60% RH.
- Avoid frequent lid openings.
- First candling on Day 5–7.
Days 7–14: Rapid growth
- Keep turning consistent. Auto is safer for small eggs.
- Track air cell growth; tweak humidity if it’s clearly off.
- Second candling on Day 10–12.
Days 15–16: Prepare for lockdown
- Top up water, check vents, clean/fit the non-slip liner.
- Stop turning at the start of lockdown.
- Raise humidity to ~65–70% RH. Ensure fresh air flow is adequate.
Days 17–19: Pip → Zip → Hatch
- Internal pip may precede external pip by ~12–24h.
- After external pip, many chicks finish within 12–24h—patience matters.
- Avoid repeated opening; sudden humidity drops can shrink-wrap chicks.
Candling & air cell management
When to candle
- Day 5–7: Look for veins and a dark spot (embryo). Remove clears/obvious non-starters.
- Day 10–12: Stronger vascular network; air cell size should be growing.
- Before lockdown: Final check; mark the air cell if you’re tracking loss.
Air cell size & humidity
- Air cell too small for the day → run slightly drier (-3% RH).
- Air cell too large → run slightly wetter (+3% RH).
- Aim for a steady trajectory rather than sudden big adjustments.
Temperature & humidity tuning
Room climate and incubator design dictate small offsets:
- Hot climate / warm room: Lower set temperature by ~0.2–0.3°F if you see early hatches or overly small chicks. Increase ventilation a touch.
- Cool climate / cold nights: Watch for late hatches; consider a draft-free location and verify that nighttime temps don’t dip.
- Very dry room: Add surface area (second water tray or wick).
- Very humid room: Reduce water surface area and increase airflow; you can run slightly drier early and “catch up” humidity during lockdown.
Calibration sanity checks
- Compare incubator readouts with your independent thermometer/hygrometer weekly.
- If you consistently hatch a day early, you are likely too hot; a day late → too cool.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Early hatch; small or weak chicks | Temperature slightly too high | Re-calibrate; drop setpoint by 0.3–0.5°F next cycle |
| Late hatch; large, slow chicks | Temperature slightly too low | Raise setpoint by 0.3–0.5°F next cycle |
| Sticky chicks / gummed feathers | Too humid during incubation | Run drier by 3–5% RH in days 1–14 |
| Shrink-wrapped at pip | Low hatch humidity or frequent lid opening | Hold 65–70% RH; minimize openings during pip/zip |
| Uneven development | Inconsistent turning or hot/cold spots | Use auto-turn; rotate tray positions between batches if needed |
| Large or tiny air cells | RH too low / too high over time | Adjust by ±3–5% RH starting around Day 4 |
Hygiene & post-hatch care
- Before setting: Wipe the incubator with a mild disinfectant, rinse, and fully dry.
- Between batches: Deep clean, paying attention to corners, fan covers, and water channels.
- After hatch: Allow chicks to dry and fluff in the warm incubator before moving them to a brooder with proper heat, water, and starter feed.
- Keep a simple log (date set, candling notes, adjustments, hatch day) to refine your next cycle.
Classroom / first-timers
- Choose a transparent-lid unit so students can observe without opening.
- Keep a daily checklist: temperature/humidity check, water top-up, turning confirmation, quick note.
- Pre-record a candling demo or use photos if the room cannot be darkened safely.
- Plan a calm, supervised lockdown period—the best learning often happens by watching patiently.
FAQ: Hatching pigeon eggs
How long does it take to hatch pigeon eggs?
Most hatches occur around Day 17–19, often close to Day 18 under steady conditions.
What temperature should I use?
Aim for 99.5–100.0°F (37.5–37.8°C) in forced-air incubators, avoiding swings >±0.5°F.
What humidity should I run?
Start ~55–60% RH during incubation, then ~65–70% RH at lockdown/hatch.
How often should eggs be turned—and when do I stop?
Auto turning every ~1–2 hours is ideal. Manual: 3–5×/day with ~40–45° tilt. Stop at the start of lockdown (~48–72h before hatch).
What is “lockdown”?
The final 2–3 days before hatch when you stop turning, raise humidity, and avoid opening the lid so chicks can pip/zip safely.
Why do some chicks get shrink-wrapped or hatch late?
Shrink-wrap usually results from low humidity or frequent opening during hatch. Late hatch often points to slightly low temperature during incubation.
Recommended tools (what to look for)
When your goal is reliably hatching pigeon eggs, prioritize:
- Precise temperature control (digital PID or equivalent, stable readouts)
- High-frequency auto-turning that works with small eggs
- Simple humidity management (easy-fill channels, external top-up)
- Clear viewing window to reduce lid opening
- Vent control for fresh air during hatch
- Easy sanitation (smooth, non-porous surfaces; removable parts)
Explore our current lineup of pigeon egg incubators to match your capacity and budget.
Closing & next step
Consistent heat, measured humidity, and hands-off turning are the quiet heroes of hatching pigeon eggs. Set up once, keep good notes, and your results will improve with every clutch.
- Ready to gear up? Compare pigeon egg incubators for hatching.
- Want the buying side too? See our buyer’s guide on where to buy pigeon eggs for hatching (link this when your guide is live).
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