Incubation periods
Each bird species has its own incubation time, counted from the day the eggs go into the incubator at the right temperature.
| Species | Days |
|---|---|
| Coturnix quail | 17 to 18 |
| Pigeon | 17 to 19 |
| Chicken | 21 |
| Pheasant | 23 to 24 |
| Guinea fowl | 26 to 28 |
| Duck, turkey, peafowl | 28 |
| Goose | 28 to 32 |
| Muscovy duck | 35 |
The calculator adds that period to the setting date to give the expected hatch date, plus the key steps in between. Eggs can hatch a day early or a day or two late, especially if the temperature drifted.
Key steps
- Candling: shining a bright light through the egg in a dark room. At about one third of the incubation (day 7 for chickens) you see veins and a dark spot; clear eggs are infertile and can be removed. A second check around two thirds of the way (day 14 to 18 for chickens) shows which embryos are still developing.
- Lockdown: three days before the hatch, stop turning the eggs and raise the humidity so the membranes stay soft as the chicks pip.
- Hatch: leave the incubator closed; opening it lets humidity escape and can shrink-wrap chicks in their membranes.
Temperature and humidity
For a forced-air incubator, the usual settings are:
- temperature about 99.5 °F (37.5 °C);
- humidity 45% to 55% for most of the incubation, then 65% to 70% at lockdown for chickens;
- waterfowl (ducks and geese) prefer about 55% then 75% or more, and benefit from daily cooling and misting from the second week.
Still-air incubators run about 1 to 2 °F warmer, measured at the top of the eggs.
Turning
Turn the eggs at least three times a day, an odd number of times so they do not spend every night on the same side, or use an automatic turner. Turning keeps the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane.
Before you start
- Set clean, uncracked eggs no more than 7 to 10 days old, stored pointed end down at about 55 to 65 °F (13 to 18 °C).
- Run the incubator for a day to check that the temperature is stable.
- Plan a brooder with heat, feed and water before the hatch date.