21-Day Chicken Egg Incubation Guide: Step-by-Step
- Hatchables Canada
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Hatching eggs at home is one of the most exciting and educational experiences that families can enjoy. The entire journey teaches responsibility, biology, and patience while creating unforgettable memories for children and adults.
At Hatchables we guide families classrooms and daycares through the full process with safe equipment and clear instructions so everyone can enjoy a successful hatch.
Before You Begin: Some Quick Tips
Before the excitement of day one begins it helps to set the stage for the entire journey. Successful hatching is not difficult but the environment you create during the first few hours makes a real difference. Think of this part as preparing a calm and safe space where the eggs can settle and where the incubator can do its job without interruption.
Start by choosing the right location for your incubator. A quiet corner in your home works beautifully especially if the temperature in the room stays steady throughout the day. Avoid placing the incubator near windows since sunlight can cause sudden temperature swings. Avoid vents heaters and drafty areas as well. A stable room creates a stable incubator and that is the foundation of a good hatch.
If you already have your fertile eggs make sure they have been stored properly before incubation. Fertile eggs should be kept cool but not cold ideally around twelve to fifteen degrees Celsius. They should rest upright with the pointed end down so the air cell stays intact. Most eggs can be stored like this for up to seven days before incubation although sooner is always better for a strong hatch. While they are waiting keep them in a place where they will not be shaken moved or handled often. Gentle storage protects the developing embryo inside.
Finally check that everything you need for the full twenty one days is within reach. This includes a water source for humidity top ups a flashlight for candling and a brooder that will be ready for the chicks once they hatch. The more you prepare now the smoother the experience will feel later.
Families who use a Hatchables kit often enjoy this stage because the eggs arrive ready for incubation and all the supporting items are already provided. This allows you to enjoy the preparation without worrying about missing any essentials.
Step #1: Day 1- Setting Up the Incubator
Now that your eggs are stored properly and your room is chosen you can prepare the incubator for the journey ahead. This is where everything starts to feel real. A good setup creates a stable and comfortable environment that supports the eggs through every stage of development.
Begin by placing the incubator in the room you selected earlier. The goal is to choose a location that feels calm and predictable. Avoid windows sunlight vents and busy areas. The incubator works best when the room temperature stays steady and the surroundings stay quiet.
Before adding the eggs turn the incubator on and allow it to warm up fully. It should reach thirty seven point five degrees Celsius and stay there without drifting. Give the incubator enough time to settle so the warmth inside feels consistent.
A few key things to check during this stage include
• The incubator is sitting on a stable level surface
• The temperature reaches thirty seven point five degrees and remains steady
• The lid fits securely and closes without gaps
Humidity is the next important part of the setup. For the first seventeen days aim for forty five to fifty percent humidity. If your incubator uses water channels fill the correct ones with warm water and allow the humidity to rise slowly. The goal is steady consistent moisture inside the chamber.
Use this moment to confirm that everything is working exactly as it should. This can include
• The fan is running smoothly if your incubator has one
• The automatic egg turner is connected correctly (unplug and plug to confirm one full rotation)
• All digital readings look accurate (temperature and humidity)
• The water tray or reservoir is easy to access for topping up later
Once the incubator feels stable and predictable you can step back and let it run for a short while. This gives you confidence that nothing will fluctuate once the eggs go inside. A few extra minutes of patience now often prevents issues later.
Step #2: Day 1- Placing the Eggs in the Incubator
After all the preparation the eggs finally move into the incubator and the twenty one day journey officially begins. This step feels simple but it is more important than most people realize because the way the eggs are placed and the conditions they enter can influence the entire hatch.
Before you lift the lid take a quiet moment to check the incubator one last time. The temperature should already be holding steady at thirty seven point five degrees Celsius and the humidity should feel balanced and gentle. A few minutes of observation gives the incubator time to settle so the eggs enter a calm and consistent environment.
When placing the eggs inside remember that you are helping them begin a delicate process. Handle them slowly and keep them upright with the pointed end down. This position protects the air cell which the chick will need later during hatching. If you are using an automatic egg turner the cups or rails will help guide the eggs into the correct direction. If you are turning eggs by hand the same upright placement still applies.
Here is a simple guide to follow as you place the eggs
• Make sure your hands are clean and dry
• Open the incubator gently and avoid long exposure
• Place each egg with the pointed end down or sideways if
• Spread them evenly so air can circulate around each one
• Close the lid smoothly to protect the stable temperature
Once the eggs are inside allow the incubator to recover. The temperature may dip slightly as the eggs settle but it should rise again within a short time. Avoid adjusting settings unless the temperature fails to return to the correct level. Most incubators correct themselves naturally.
During the first few hours of day one it helps to watch the readings without opening the incubator. You are looking for calm steady numbers. This early stability gives the embryos a strong start and helps the development process begin without interruption.
When everything feels steady you can relax knowing the journey has officially begun. Day one is always filled with excitement and curiosity and this simple step sets the foundation for the entire hatch.
Step #3: Days 8 to 14- Candling
The second week of incubation is when everything inside the egg begins to accelerate. Even though you cannot see the embryos directly the changes happening during these days are dramatic. The chick begins to form familiar features such as a beak wings and tiny legs and it becomes much more active as the days pass. This stage often feels calmer for you but much busier inside the shell.
Your main job during this week is to keep the incubator consistent. The chick depends entirely on the environment you provide so a steady temperature and humidity level give it the best possible conditions to grow.
Here is what you want to keep an eye on
• Temperature remains at thirty seven point five degrees Celsius
• Humidity stays between forty five and fifty percent
• The automatic turner continues to rotate the eggs gently
• If turning by hand: remain consistent with the schedule. (Hatchable's kit does this automatically)
During this stage air circulation also becomes increasingly important. The embryo is growing and needs a stable supply of oxygen through the porous shell. Resist the urge to open the incubator often since even a short burst of cooler air can interrupt development.
How to candle safely:
• Choose a small bright flashlight or a proper candling light (Hatchable's kit comes with one included)
• Make sure your hands are clean and dry
• Candle in a dim or dark room so the light shines clearly through the egg
• Hold the egg gently with the pointed end down
• Place the light against the top of the egg near the air cell
• Tilt the light slowly until the inside becomes visible
• Keep the egg out of the incubator only for a brief moment
If you choose to candle again around day fourteen here is what you may observe:
• A larger darker shape filling more of the egg
• Stronger visible movement
• Clear healthy veins spreading across the shell
• A more defined air cell near the top of the egg
If an egg appears clear at this stage it usually means there has been no development. Many people choose to remove clear eggs but only do so if you are certain. A quick second look is always helpful.
This week is quiet from the outside but incredibly active inside. As long as the incubator remains steady the chicks will continue preparing for their final stages of development. You may not see much now but this is one of the most important and fascinating periods of growth.
Step #4: Days 18 to 21- Lockdown Pipping and Hatch Day
The final days of incubation are filled with anticipation. Once lockdown begins on day eighteen the chicks quietly prepare for their moment of arrival. Even though the incubator looks still from the outside this is the most active period inside every egg. The chicks are shifting into position taking their first breaths and building the strength they need to break through the shell.
What happens during lockdown:
On day eighteen the turner stops and the eggs remain completely still. This stillness is essential because the chicks are aligning themselves with the air cell. This will be the spot they tap into when they begin pipping.
During lockdown you will:
• Raise humidity to sixty to seventy percent
• Avoid opening the incubator **DO NOT CANDLE**
• Keep temperature steady at thirty seven point five degrees Celsius
• Lay the eggs gently on their sides and remove the turner!
Humidity plays a major role during these days. A soft inner membrane helps the chick break through safely. Each time the lid opens humidity drops quickly so the goal is to keep the incubator closed from day eighteen until hatching is complete.
Inside the egg the chick is absorbing the remaining yolk which provides everything it needs for energy and hydration. It also practices breathing inside the air cell and slowly presses its beak toward the inner membrane.
Days 19 and 20: The beginning of pipping
These two days often bring the first signs of life from inside the incubator. You might hear tiny chirps as the chicks communicate with one another. This is always a special moment for families because it means the chicks are strong and ready.
Here is what you may see or hear:
• A small circular crack on the shell known as the first pip
• Faint peeping sounds from inside the egg
• Gentle rocking as the chick shifts position
The first pip tells you the chick has broken through the inner membrane and reached air. It can take many hours before anything else happens. Pipping is slow and deliberate because the chick is gathering strength for the next stage.
The zipping stage:
After the first pip the chick rests. Once ready it begins zipping which is the process of creating a curved line of tiny cracks around the shell. This allows the top of the shell to lift like a small lid when the chick finally pushes free.
You may notice:
• A short line of cracks forming in a semi circle
• Louder chirping as the chick works
• Longer rest periods between movements
The best thing you can do is watch without helping. Chicks need this process to build strength. Intervention can cause harm unless you are absolutely certain something is wrong.
Day 21 Hatch Day:
This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Most chicks hatch on day twenty one although some may arrive a little earlier or later. When the chick is ready it will give one final push and emerge from the shell. It may look wet tired or wobbly at first which is completely normal.
Once the chick hatches:
• Leave it in the incubator until it is dry and fluffy (12-24 hours)
• Allow the chick to rest and gather strength
• Avoid opening the lid until several chicks have hatched so humidity stays stable
A newly hatched chick does not need food or water right away. The absorbed yolk provides nourishment during these first hours. Once the chick is dry and active you can gently move it to the brooder where warm bedding and a heat source are waiting.
The journey from day eighteen to day twenty one is filled with quiet work from the chicks and patience from you. It is one of the most rewarding parts of the incubation experience and the moment the entire process comes to life.
Ready for the next stage?
If you want a complete guide on setting up the brooder, feeding, watering and caring for your new arrivals you can continue reading here.
Read our full guide What To Do When Your Chicks Arrive
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This next guide walks you through the first twenty four hours and the first week so you feel confident and prepared for every step.
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