Hatching Chicken Eggs: The Complete Day 0–21 Guide (With an Incubator)

Hatching chicken eggs is exciting, educational, and very doable at home. With a steady Automatic egg incubator and a simple plan, you can watch a tiny cell grow into a fluffy chick in just 21 days. This guide walks you through the full journey—what to set up, what to watch, and what to do each day—so your first hatch feels calm and in control.

Quick CTA: Ready to start? Explore beginner-friendly Chicken Egg Incubators (auto temperature, auto turning, easy to clean).

What You’ll Need

Incubator (forced-air models are easiest; still-air models need more care)
Reliable thermometer and hygrometer (to double-check readings)
Egg candler (or a strong flashlight) for Day 7 and Day 14 checks
Water source for humidity, plus a small cup or bottle to add it safely
Notebook to record temperature/humidity and notes each day
Brooder setup for after hatch (heat, non-slip mat, waterer, starter feed)

Pro tip: Many of your incubator models include helpful features like auto temperature control, auto egg turning, dual airflow for even heat, built-in candling, and transparent lids for observation. These make hatching easier for families and classrooms. Some models also support 12V backup power or USB for small classroom projects.

The 21-Day Big Picture (At a Glance)

Total time: ~21 days from the moment eggs go into a warmed incubator.
Temperature:
- Forced-air: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- Still-air: 101–102°F (38.3–38.9°C)
Humidity:
- Days 1–18: 50–60% RH
- Days 19–21 (Lockdown): 65–70% RH
Turning: 3–5 times a day by hand (odd number of turns), or keep auto-turning on until Day 18.

Before Day 0: Get Ready

Choose eggs that are clean, normal-shaped, and fresh.
Pre-warm and sanitize the incubator at least 24 hours before setting eggs.
Calibrate your thermometer/hygrometer so your readings are trustworthy.
Mark eggs with a pencil “X” and “O” on opposite sides if you’ll turn by hand.
Set starting humidity so it sits around 50–60% once the lid is closed.

CTA: Want fewer steps? Pick an automatic incubator with stable temp, auto turning, and easy water ports.

Day-by-Day Timeline

Days 0–6: Settle In

Place eggs pointy end down or on their sides.
Keep 99.5°F (forced-air) or 101–102°F (still-air).
Hold 50–60% RH.
Turn eggs 3–5 times daily if manual (try morning, afternoon, evening), or leave auto-turning on.
Keep the lid closed as much as you can.

Day 7: First Candling

In a dark room, shine the light through each egg.
Look for blood vessels and a moving dark spot (the embryo).
Remove clear (unfertilized) or obvious “early quitters” to keep the rest safe.

Days 8–13: Smooth and Steady

Same temp and humidity as before.
Top up water if needed; fast open/close to avoid big swings.
Keep turning on schedule (or let the machine do it).

Day 14: Second Candling

The embryo now fills much of the egg.
Remove eggs that have clearly stopped developing.
Check the air cell size; it should be growing.

Days 15–17: Prep for Lockdown

Wipe out loose shell bits if needed, and add a non-slip liner where chicks will hatch.
Make sure vents can provide enough fresh air (oxygen matters later).
Keep turning as normal until Day 18.

Days 18–21: Lockdown and Hatch

Stop turning on Day 18.
Raise humidity to 65–70% RH.
Keep temperature steady and limit opening the lid.
You’ll see internal pip (the chick breaks into the air cell) and later external pip (first crack on the shell). After external pip, many chicks take 6–20 hours to fully “zip” and push out. Be patient.

During lockdown, a clear lid and stable airflow help a lot. This is where incubators with even heating and good visibility really shine—less opening, less stress.

Post-Hatch: First 48 Hours

Let chicks dry off completely in the warm incubator (often 12–24 hours).
Move dry chicks to a brooder with steady heat and a non-slip floor.
Offer fresh water right away (you can dip the beak tip to teach) and starter feed soon after.
It’s normal if they don’t eat much on day 1; the yolk reserve helps them at first.

Troubleshooting: Quick Fix Guide

Low hatch rate?

Check temperature drift (even a steady 0.5°F off matters).
Verify humidity matched the timeline.
Confirm turning was regular through Day 17.
Review egg quality and storage time before incubation.

Late or early hatching?

Late often points to slightly lower temps across the 3 weeks.
Early often points to temps that ran too warm.

“Pip but no zip” (stalled hatch)?

Most often linked to low humidity during lockdown or frequent lid openings.
Resist the urge to help; only consider assistance if there’s no progress for 12–24 hours after an external pip, and you’re confident membranes are dry and the chick is otherwise strong.

Classroom and Family Tips

Start with a small batch (6–12 eggs) so the routine feels easy.
Log readings twice a day. Let kids take turns with safe tasks like refilling water ports or noting observations.
Choose an incubator designed for home and STEM use—quiet, simple to clean, transparent for viewing, and auto-turning to cut daily work.

Choosing the Right Incubator (Simple Checklist)

When you shop, look for:

Auto temperature and auto turning (less stress, better results)
Even airflow / dual-fan designs for stable heat
Easy water access to manage humidity without opening the lid
Built-in candler to check progress
Clear lid for 360° viewing
Power options (standard wall power plus USB or 12V backup for small models)
A size that fits your plan (from 6–8 eggs for classrooms to 20+ for home flocks)

CTA: Compare models on our Chicken Egg Incubators page—pick your size, set it up once, and focus on the fun part: watching chicks hatch.

FAQ

1) What is the ideal temperature?

Forced-air: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
Still-air: 101–102°F (38.3–38.9°C)

2) What humidity should I use?

Days 1–18: 50–60% RH
Days 19–21: 65–70% RH (lockdown)

3) When do I stop turning eggs?

Day 18, at the start of lockdown.

4) When should I candle?

Day 7 and Day 14; check the air cell again by Day 18.

5) How long until a chick finishes hatching after a pip?

Many complete the “zip” in 6–20 hours. Patience is key.

Final Thoughts

A great hatch is not luck—it’s steady conditions plus a calm routine. Keep temperature and humidity on target, turn eggs until Day 18, and give chicks a quiet, humid space to do the hard work in the last 72 hours. Your first hatch may not be perfect, and that’s okay. Take notes, adjust, and enjoy the process—there is nothing like seeing a chick break free for the first time.

Start your first hatch today: choose an incubator that makes things simple—auto temp, auto turn, clear viewing, easy cleanup—and follow this guide from Day 0 to Day 21.