Hatching Chicken Eggs in an Electric Incubator:

Raising chickens from eggs can be an immensely rewarding and educational experience, offering insights into the beginnings of life and the opportunity to expand your flock. Electric incubators make this process accessible even for beginners, ensuring that you can successfully hatch eggs with proper guidance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the right eggs to ensuring optimal conditions inside the incubator, increasing survival rates, and finally, seeing your chicks emerge.

Selecting Fertilized Eggs

Before you start incubating, it’s crucial to select fertilized eggs. Fertilized eggs are the only ones that will develop into chicks. Here’s how to find fertilized eggs versus unfertilized ones:

1. Source of Eggs: Obtain your eggs from a reliable source, such as a trusted farm or hatchery. Ensure that there is a rooster in the flock, as hens alone cannot produce fertilized eggs.
2. Visual Inspection: Fertilized eggs often look the same as unfertilized ones, but they may have a slightly different shape or a more pronounced air cell. However, this method isn’t foolproof.
3. Candling: Candling is a technique used to check the development of the embryo inside the egg. You can perform this at different stages, but it’s especially useful on days 7 and 14 of incubation. Using a bright light source in a dark room, hold the egg up to the light. A fertilized egg will show a network of blood vessels and an embryo, while an unfertilized egg will remain clear or show just the yolk shadow.

Setting Up the Incubator

Once you have your fertilized eggs, it’s time to prepare the incubator. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Choosing the Right Incubator: There are many types of incubators available, ranging from basic to fully automated. For beginners, an incubator with automatic temperature control, humidity control, and an egg-turning feature is ideal.
2. Pre-Incubation Check: Before placing the eggs, run the incubator for at least 24 hours to ensure it maintains the correct temperature and humidity levels. The optimal temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C) and humidity should be around 50-55%.
3. Positioning the Eggs: Place the eggs in the incubator with the pointed end facing down. If your incubator doesn’t have an automatic turning feature, you’ll need to manually turn the eggs three times a day to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell.

Incubation Process

The incubation period for chicken eggs is approximately 21 days. Here’s what you need to do during this time:

1. Temperature Control: Maintain a constant temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C). Fluctuations can harm the developing embryos. Invest in a reliable thermometer and regularly check the temperature.
2. Humidity Levels: Keep the humidity between 50-55% for the first 18 days. During the last three days (the lockdown period), increase humidity to 65-70% to help the chicks hatch more easily.
3. Egg Turning: If your incubator doesn’t have an automatic turning feature, ensure you turn the eggs at least three times a day until day 18. Marking one side of the eggs with a pencil can help you keep track of turns.

Candling Eggs

Candling is an essential part of the incubation process, allowing you to monitor the development of the embryos and remove any non-viable eggs.

1. Candling Tools: You can use a commercial egg candler or a homemade setup with a bright LED flashlight. Perform candling in a dark room for the best results.
2. Candling Schedule: Candle the eggs on days 7, 14, and 18. On day 7, look for a web of blood vessels and a small dark spot, which is the embryo. By day 14, the embryo should be larger, and movement may be visible. On day 18, the chick will occupy most of the egg, and the air cell will be more pronounced.
3. Removing Non-Viable Eggs: If an egg shows no signs of development or the embryo has stopped growing (known as a “blood ring”), remove it from the incubator to prevent contamination.

Maintaining Humidity

Humidity control is crucial for the successful hatching of eggs. Here’s how to manage it effectively:

1. Monitoring Humidity: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels. Place it at egg level for accurate readings.
2. Adjusting Humidity: Increase or decrease humidity by adjusting the incubator’s water reservoir. Adding water will raise humidity, while reducing water or increasing ventilation will lower it.
3. Humidity During Lockdown: On day 18, increase the humidity to 65-70%. This higher humidity helps soften the eggshells, making it easier for the chicks to hatch. Avoid opening the incubator during this period, as it can cause a drop in humidity.

Hatching and Increasing Survival Rates

The final phase of incubation is the most exciting and nerve-wracking. Here’s how to ensure a successful hatch and increase chick survival rates:

1. Lockdown Period: On day 18, stop turning the eggs and increase humidity. This is called the lockdown period. Do not open the incubator unless absolutely necessary.
2. Hatching Process: Chicks typically start pipping (breaking through the shell) around day 21. (If you are hatching ducks or turkeys they will take longer, between 26 and 29 days.) The process can take up to 24 hours from the first pip to fully hatching. Be patient and avoid assisting unless necessary, as premature intervention can cause harm.
3. Post-Hatch Care: Once chicks have hatched, leave them in the incubator until they are dry and fluffy. This usually takes about 24 hours. Moving them too soon can expose them to cold and reduce their chances of survival.

Increasing Survival Rates

To maximize the survival rates of your chicks, follow these best practices:

1. Clean Environment: Ensure your incubator and all equipment are clean and sanitized before starting the incubation process. This reduces the risk of bacterial infections.
2. Stable Conditions: Maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels. Sudden changes can stress the embryos and reduce hatch rates.
3. Healthy Breeding Stock: Start with healthy, well-nourished breeding stock. This ensures strong, viable eggs and reduces the risk of deformities or weak chicks.
4. Supplemental Care: Provide proper nutrition and clean water for the chicks once they are transferred to the brooder. Ensure the brooder is warm (around 95°F or 35°C for the first week) and gradually reduce the temperature by 5°F each week.
5. Observation and Intervention: Keep a close eye on the eggs and chicks throughout the process. If you notice any issues, such as slow development or signs of distress, address them promptly. However, intervention should be minimal and only when necessary.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite your best efforts, you may encounter some challenges during the incubation process. Here’s how to address common issues:

1. Temperature Fluctuations: If the incubator’s temperature fluctuates, check for drafts or room temperature changes. Ensure the incubator is in a stable environment away from direct sunlight or cold drafts.
2. Humidity Issues: If you struggle to maintain humidity, check the water reservoirs and add sponges or extra water trays if necessary. Conversely, if humidity is too high, increase ventilation slightly.
3. Non-Viable Eggs: If you find a high number of non-viable eggs during candling, review your egg selection process and ensure your breeding stock is healthy. Check for any incubator malfunctions that could be affecting development.
4. Chicks Not Pipping: If chicks are not pipping by day 21, they may be too weak, or the humidity might be too low. Consider increasing humidity slightly and monitor closely.
5. Deformed or Weak Chicks: These issues can arise from genetic factors or improper incubation conditions. Ensure you are following best practices for temperature, humidity, and turning.

Conclusion

I’m excited for you to experience hatching your own baby chicks!

Hatching chicken eggs in an electric incubator is a fulfilling process that, with the right knowledge and careful attention to detail, can yield high success rates. By selecting fertile eggs, maintaining optimal conditions, monitoring development through candling, and ensuring proper post-hatch care, you can enjoy the miracle of new life in your own backyard. Remember, patience and consistency are key, and with each hatch, you’ll gain valuable experience that will improve your skills as a poultry keeper.