There's nothing quite like watching a chick hatch from an egg you've cared for over the past 21 days. While it may seem complicated at first, successful incubation comes down to keeping a few important conditions consistent.
Start with clean, fertile eggs that are no more than 7–10 days old. Store them with the pointed end facing down in a cool location until you're ready to incubate them.
Before adding your eggs, let your incubator stabilize at 99.5°F (forced-air incubator). Keep the humidity around 45–55% during the first 18 days. Turn the eggs at least 3–5 times each day until Day 18, unless your incubator has an automatic egg turner.
Around Day 7–10, candle the eggs using a bright light. Healthy, developing eggs will show veins and a growing embryo. Remove any eggs that remain clear or show signs of early failure to help protect the rest of the hatch.
On Day 18, stop turning the eggs and raise the humidity to 65–70%. This is known as "lockdown." Avoid opening the incubator unless absolutely necessary, as sudden drops in humidity can make it harder for chicks to hatch.
Most chicks begin pipping around Day 19–20 and usually hatch by Day 21. It can take several hours from the first crack in the shell until the chick fully emerges. As tempting as it is, don't help a chick hatch unless you have a clear reason and understand the risks. Many chicks simply need more time.
After hatching, leave the chicks in the incubator until they're dry and fluffy—usually 6–12 hours. Then move them to a brooder set at 95°F with fresh water and chick starter feed. Reduce the brooder temperature by 5°F each week until they are fully feathered.
Patience and consistency are the two biggest keys to a successful hatch. Keep your temperature and humidity steady, resist opening the incubator too often, and let nature do its work. Before long, you'll have a healthy group of chicks ready to start the next chapter on your homestead.
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