Chicken eggs typically take about 20 to 21 days to hatch
. During incubation, the eggs should be turned several times a day for the first 18 days to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell, then left undisturbed for the last 3 days
. The temperature should be maintained around 37 to 38°C (about 100.5°F) with humidity increased to about 65-70% during the final days to aid hatching
. Hatching itself can take several hours; a chick may take 5 to 7 hours to fully emerge but sometimes up to 24 hours
. After hatching, chicks should be left in the incubator until they are dry and fluffy before moving them to a brooder
. If eggs have not hatched by day 23, they likely will not hatch
. A broody hen will usually incubate eggs for the same 20-21 day period, and chicks may start peeping around day 20
. In summary:
- Incubation period: 20-21 days
- Egg turning: multiple times daily until day 18, then stop
- Temperature: ~37.5°C (100.5°F)
- Humidity: increase to 65-70% last 3 days
- Hatching duration: 5-24 hours per chick
- Hatch window: usually by day 21, up to day 23 possible
This timing applies to fertile chicken eggs under natural or artificial incubation conditions
