Tips and Tricks for Successful Egg Incubation on Your Homestead
Embarking on the journey of incubating your own poultry eggs can be an exciting and fulfilling experience for homesteaders. By witnessing new life emerge and hatch right before your eyes, you not only save money by not having to purchase new chicks or ducklings but also gain the unique satisfaction of raising your own flock. However, successful egg incubation requires careful attention to detail, proper equipment, and a deep understanding of the process. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to incubating chicken eggs and encourage you to explore our other blog post, The Ultimate Homestead Chicken Showdown: Comparing 8 Popular Breeds for a Dual-Purpose Flock, to determine the best chickens for your homestead.
It’s also worth mentioning that while the information and procedure is the same for most poultry, the specifics do vary by species. Ducks and other poultry have different incubation times and requirements such as humidity and rotation. We have incubated both ducks and chickens together, but it does get tricky since chicks hatch at roughly 21 days while ducks take longer at about 28 days, for example. This can pose problems when it comes to the rotation schedule and humidity requirements.
We’ll also include FAQ’s about some of these specifics later in the blog
Choosing the Right Eggs
The first step to a successful hatch is selecting high-quality eggs. Ensure that the eggs are no more than ten days old and have been stored properly. Collect the eggs daily and store them in a cool, dry place with a consistent temperature of around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. During collection, the eggs should be stored with the pointed end facing downward and the rounded, larger end facing upward. This positioning helps maintain the integrity of the air cell within the egg, which is crucial for proper embryo development. If the eggs are dirty, gently wipe them clean with a damp cloth, avoiding washing them with water, as this can remove the protective coating on the eggshell. It's crucial to choose eggs from healthy, disease-free birds, avoiding eggs from birds showing signs of illness or exposed to other sick birds.
Preparing the Incubator
Before incubating your eggs, prepare your incubator by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting it with a poultry-safe disinfectant to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease. Set up the incubator according to the manufacturer's instructions, which typically involve adding water to the incubator's reservoir to maintain the appropriate humidity level and setting the temperature to the recommended level (usually around 99-100 degrees Fahrenheit for chickens and 98 degrees Fahrenheit for ducks). Allow the incubator to stabilize for at least 24 hours before adding your eggs, enabling you to monitor and adjust the temperature and humidity levels as needed to ensure optimal embryo development. If you don’t already have an incubator, we have been using Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right Incubator for the last couple years and have been quite happy with it. We tried a cheaper model our first few years but found nothing but problems with it, so we finally ponied up some cash for a decent one for the homestead. This Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right Incubator has automatic turning and day timer, a built-in candling light, and will stop rotation once the desired number of days have passed and is fully customizable.
Egg Rotation
One of the most critical factors in successful incubation is egg rotation. Eggs need to be turned regularly to prevent the embryo from sticking to the inside of the eggshell and ensure that the developing chick or duckling has access to nutrients and oxygen. If your incubator does not have automatic egg rotation, turn the eggs manually at least three to five times a day. It is best to turn the eggs an odd number of times to ensure that the eggs are not in the same position for too long. If your incubator has automatic egg rotation, verify that it is functioning correctly and consistently turning the eggs.
Candling
Candling is the process of shining a bright light through the egg to check the embryo's development. This can be done by holding the egg up to a bright light source or using a specialized candling device. Candling is typically done after about seven days of incubation. At this point, you should be able to see a small embryo and veins beginning to form. Candling again at day 14 will allow you to check the embryo's progress and discard any eggs that are not developing properly.
Temperature, Humidity, and Ventilation
Proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation are critical for successful egg incubation. Eggs need to be kept at a consistent temperature throughout the incubation period, usually between 99 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity is also crucial, typically between 50 and 60 percent for the first 18 days of incubation for chickens, with an increase to around 70 percent for the final few days before hatching. Proper ventilation is necessary to ensure that the eggs receive an adequate supply of oxygen while incubating. This can be achieved by ensuring that your incubator has the correct number and size of ventilation holes.
Hatching
Hatching can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. As the hatch date approaches, you will need to monitor the temperature and humidity levels closely to ensure that the eggs hatch successfully. Chicks will usually begin to hatch on day 21 of incubation, although this can vary slightly depending on the breed and incubation conditions. You may hear the chicks peeping and chirping inside the eggs, and you may even see them begin to crack the shell from the inside.
It is important to resist the urge to help the chicks hatch. They need to break out of the shell on their own to strengthen their muscles and lungs. If a chick is struggling to hatch, you can provide some assistance by moistening the shell with warm water or by carefully removing small pieces of the shell to help the chick get started.
Once the chicks have hatched, they will need to be kept in a warm, dry, and safe environment. A brooder box with a heat lamp or heating pad is ideal for keeping the chicks warm during their first few weeks of life. Start by setting the temperature to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the first week, as this is the ideal temperature for newly hatched chicks. We use this IncuTherm Plus Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer to ensure the proper tempurature is maintained at all times. Make sure to provide them with fresh water and appropriate chick feed. For the first few weeks, offer them a high-quality starter crumble feed that is specifically formulated for young chicks. This type of feed typically contains around 18-20% protein to support their rapid growth and development. After 4-6 weeks, you can gradually transition the chicks to a grower feed, which has a slightly lower protein content of about 16-18%. This will help them continue to grow at a healthy pace without causing excessive weight gain. Always ensure that the feed is fresh and free from mold or contamination, and keep the brooder clean to prevent the spread of disease.
Each week, gradually decrease the temperature in the brooder by about 5 degrees Fahrenheit until the chicks are ready to go outside or have reached a temperature that matches the outside ambient temperature. This process usually takes 4-6 weeks, depending on the breed and environmental conditions.
By gradually reducing the temperature, you help the chicks acclimate to their eventual outdoor environment, ensuring a smoother transition when they're ready to join the rest of your flock.
In addition to the wealth of information provided in this article, we highly recommend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens as a resource for further research and guidance on incubating and raising chickens. We have found it to be an invaluable go-to resource when we come across a question or concern and have reached for it year after year.
Final Thoughts
Incubating your own poultry eggs can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. It allows you to witness the miracle of new life hatching before your eyes and can save you money on purchasing new chicks or ducklings. However, incubating eggs requires careful attention to detail and proper equipment. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and exploring resources like Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, you can increase your chances of a successful hatch and enjoy the satisfaction of raising your own flock of poultry.
Remember to choose high-quality eggs from healthy birds, prepare your incubator properly, rotate your eggs regularly, and monitor the temperature and humidity levels closely. With patience and persistence, you can successfully hatch your own chicks or ducklings and enjoy the many benefits of homesteading.
Don't forget to check out our other blog post, The Ultimate Homestead Chicken Showdown: Comparing 8 Popular Breeds for a Dual-Purpose Flock, for more insights on selecting the best birds for your homestead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for eggs to hatch?
Chicken eggs typically take 21 days to hatch, while duck eggs take around 28 days. Hatching time may vary slightly depending on the breed and incubation conditions.
Can I incubate different poultry species' eggs together?
It's possible to incubate different species' eggs together, but you must consider their specific temperature and humidity requirements. If these requirements are too different, it's best to incubate them separately.
How do I know if an egg is fertile?
Candling the egg after 7 days of incubation should reveal a developing embryo and veins. A healthy embryo will show a network of veins, a dark spot representing the embryo, and an air cell at the larger end of the egg. If you don't see these signs, the egg may be infertile.
What should I do if an egg doesn't hatch on time?
Give the egg an extra day or two before discarding it. Sometimes, chicks may hatch later than expected due to variations in incubation conditions. We will usually wait 3 days before discarding any unhatched eggs.
How do I maintain the proper humidity levels during incubation?
If your incubator doesn’t have the feature built in, use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and add water to the incubator's reservoir as needed. Adjust the amount of water to maintain appropriate humidity levels.
How can I improve my hatch rate?
Ensure that you use fresh, high-quality eggs, maintain proper temperature and humidity levels, and turn the eggs regularly. Also, keep the incubator clean and disinfected, and make sure the birds laying the eggs are healthy and disease-free. Providing optimal conditions and careful monitoring will increase your chances of a successful hatch.
When should I stop turning the eggs?
For chicken eggs, stop turning them on day 18 of incubation. For duck eggs, stop turning on day 25. This allows the embryos to settle in the right position for hatching.
What do I do if the humidity drops too low during the final days of incubation?
If the humidity drops too low, add more water to the incubator's reservoir, or place a damp sponge inside the incubator to increase humidity. Be sure to monitor the humidity levels closely and make adjustments as needed.
Can I open the incubator during hatching?
It's best to avoid opening the incubator during hatching, as doing so can cause a drop in temperature and humidity. This can lead to difficulties for the chicks hatching and may result in a reduced hatch rate.
How long can newly hatched chicks stay in the incubator?
Chicks should stay in the incubator for 24 hours after hatching. During this time, they will absorb the remaining yolk sac, which provides them with enough nutrients and energy. After 24 hours, transfer the chicks to a brooder with a heat source, water, and chick feed.
