I would like to offer you a few helpful hints to get your hatch off to the best possible start.  These guidelines are appropriate for hatching CHICKENS. The guides for other types of fowl can be found at www.BackyardChickens.com

If you are collecting eggs for hatching at home:
Store your eggs in a cool (NOT cold) dark place for a maximum of 2 weeks.  For best results must turn the eggs 3 times per day during the collection period to prevent the yolks from sticking to their shells.

If you have received eggs by mail or other delivery:
Store your eggs at cool to room temperature for up to 48 hours until the incubator temperatures are stable & ready.  Turn the eggs 3 times per day during this waiting period.

Ways to turn the eggs:

1. To turn your eggs while they are in an egg carton, use 2 or 3 books laying on their sides (about 2-3 inch tall stack) and prop up one end of the egg carton.  Each time you turn the eggs, turn the carton so that the opposite end is propped up.  Turning them an odd number of times each day is best.
2. Use an egg turner! If you have an egg turner that is NOT in an incubator already, you can store them there
3. If your planning on incubating without a turner, and hand turning; you can simply turn them by hand during the waiting period too by rolling them over to the opposite side an odd number of times per day.

Incubation Time!

It’s always best to follow the instructions that came with your incubator as each unit is designed differently and there are no one size fits all instructions for every climate.  I HIGHLY recommend a forced air unit equipped with an auto-turner to all part time and novice hatchers, as they are easier to manage. The following is a general reference guide for your convenience.

• It takes approximately 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch.
• Incubator Temperature: 99-101F for the entire 21+ days
• Incubator Relative Humidity: +/- 45% Days 1-18 and +/- 60% Days 19 through hatch time

Hatch Time!

DO NOT REMOVE THE CHICKS FROM THE INCUBATOR for at least 24 hours after hatching.  It is best to wait until they are fluffy and dry before moving them to the brooder.  They can live on the egg yolk they absorbed right before hatching for up to 2 days, they are in no danger staying in there for 24 hour to acclimate to being outside the shell.  Chilled chicks die; do not take chances with your new baby hatchlings.

For more information on Incubation & Brooding I highly recommend www.BackyardChickens.com online forum for Incubating and Hatching Eggs; where help and advice is available 24 hours a day.

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