Sophie Bennett
The time it takes for a chick to hatch depends on several factors. The most common incubation period for a chicken egg is 21 days, during which the embryo develops and the chick prepares to hatch. However, the process can be delayed or accelerated by factors such as temperature fluctuations, with higher temperatures causing premature hatching and lower temperatures causing delays. The development of the embryo can be observed through candling, which involves shining a light through the egg to check for signs of life. If the fertilized eggs were cooled before incubation, the hatching process may take longer than 21 days. Additionally, the time it takes for a chick to fully hatch after cracking the shell can vary, typically ranging from 5 to 24 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to hatch | 21 days, but can take up to 28 days |
| Time to prepare for hatching | 18 days |
| Time to absorb yolk sac | 24 hours |
| Time to dry after hatching | 24 hours |
| Time to dry after assisting | 30 hours |
| Time taken to pip | 12-24 hours |
| Time taken to unzip | 18-24 hours |
| Time after which chick is in trouble | 40 hours |
| Time to cool fertilized eggs | 7 days |
| Time to clean the incubator | 7 days |
| Time to wait before removing unhatched eggs | 24 hours |
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What You'll Learn
The process of hatching
Once you have the eggs, you'll need an incubator to provide the right environment for the eggs to develop. The incubator should be prepared a week before the arrival of the fertilized eggs. It should be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution, followed by warm soapy water, and then thoroughly dried. The incubator should be placed in an area with steady ambient temperatures and no drafts.
The next step is to place the fertilized eggs in the incubator, ensuring a constant temperature and humidity level. The ideal temperature is 100.5°F, and humidity should be increased to 70% on day 21. The eggs should be turned regularly during the first 18 days of incubation to prevent the chick from sticking to the shell.
On day 18, the eggs go into lockdown, and the chick prepares to hatch by positioning its beak under its right wing towards the wide end of the egg, where it can access the air cell. At this point, the chick has absorbed most of the nutrients and oxygen it needs from the yolk sac and is ready to breathe with its lungs.
Typically, chicks will hatch on day 21 of incubation. However, this process can take longer, and it is recommended to give the eggs a few more days if they haven't hatched by day 21. The chick uses its egg tooth to peck a hole in the shell and then pecks a circle around the end of the egg. It twists its neck, pushes with its feet, and breaks open the shell. Healthy chicks can accomplish this in a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours.
After hatching, the chicks can remain in the incubator for up to 24 hours to dry off and become active. They may not need to eat or drink during this time as they absorb the remaining yolk sac, which provides nourishment. Once the chicks are dry and fluffy, they can be gently removed to a brooder box, preferably in pairs as they enjoy company.
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Preparing to hatch
The process of a chick hatching from an egg usually takes 21 days. On the 21st day, the chick breaks out of the shell using its egg tooth. It first pecks a hole through the shell and then pecks a circle around the end of the egg. The chick then twists its neck and pushes with its feet to break the shell open.
Firstly, you need to ensure you have fertile eggs. Fertile eggs can be collected from hens that are housed with a rooster. It is important to source these eggs from a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)-certified flock to reduce the risk of disease. Prior to incubation, fertilized eggs can be stored for a maximum of seven days in a cool room at a steady 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Next, you will need an egg incubator. This is an enclosed structure with a fan and heater to keep eggs warm during the 21-day incubation period. Prepare the incubator about a week before the arrival of the fertilized eggs. To do this, wash it with a 10% bleach solution, followed by warm soapy water and a thorough rinse. Once the incubator is clean and dry, turn it on and check that a constant temperature and humidity level will be maintained. Place the incubator in an area with steady ambient temperatures and no risk of drafts.
On day 18 of incubation, carefully remove all the eggs from the incubator and candle them. A candling light is a bright light that can penetrate through the eggshell to observe the embryo. If you see a ring of red, the embryo has died and the egg should be removed. If you see blood vessels, the embryo is alive. By day 18, the embryo has developed into a chick and will take up most of the space in the egg. Stop egg-turning at this point, with the larger end of the egg facing up. The chick will position itself for hatching inside the egg. Maintain a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit and increase humidity to 70%.
Finally, prepare a brooder box with heat, food, and water. The brooder box is the space where the chicks will be kept until they are fully feathered and able to regulate their temperature. It should be a warm, draft-free space, safe from predators. You can use a trough made of plastic or stainless steel, which is easy to clean and has solid walls to protect against drafts. You can fit wire to make a cover to protect the chicks from predators.
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Hatching difficulties
Typically, chicks hatch after 21 days of being incubated. However, hatching difficulties can occur, and sometimes events do not go as planned. Here are some potential issues that can arise during the hatching process:
Malpositions and Deformities
It is common to lose about 1-2% of chicks due to deformities and malpositions. Deformities occur during embryo development, while malpositions occur during the last week of incubation. Malpositioned embryos are unable to break out of the eggshell and escape due to improper positioning within the egg. Chicks with deformities or malpositions may have difficulty positioning themselves for pipping (breaking out of the shell), absorbing the yolk sac, or transitioning from embryo to chick breathing air. This can lead to exhaustion, lack of oxygen, or even death. Some malpositions are lethal, while others may allow the chick to hatch unassisted, but close monitoring is necessary to ensure the chick does not become stuck or stressed.
Incubation Procedures and Environmental Factors
Imperfect incubation procedures, such as high incubation humidity, failure to maintain the proper egg orientation, or failure to stop turning the eggs in time for hatching, can contribute to hatching difficulties. Additionally, external factors such as shipping or improper handling of eggs can result in misplaced air cells, making it more challenging for the chick to initiate breathing and proceed with hatching.
Assisted Hatching Considerations
Assisting a chick during hatching should be a last resort and only considered in specific circumstances. Genetic problems, malpositions, deformities, or weakness may warrant intervention. However, it is crucial to carefully assess the situation, as it can be challenging to determine when intervention is necessary and safe. Rushing the hatch can have adverse effects, and assisting too early may lead to excessive bleeding or other issues. It is generally recommended to give the chick as much time as possible to complete the normal physiological processes of hatching.
Weakness and Health Concerns
Some chicks may be inherently weak or sick, and they may struggle during the hatching process. Helping these chicks may seem beneficial, but it can deprive them of the opportunity to strengthen their muscles, potentially resulting in weak hatchlings with leg and neck issues, such as crooked toes, spraddled legs, or a twisted neck. Additionally, premature assistance can lead to blood loss or soft abdomen issues if the yolk sac has not been fully absorbed and the blood vessels have not completely blocked off.
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Caring for newly hatched chicks
It takes a chick 21 days to hatch from a fertilised egg, and this can be achieved either under a broody hen or inside an incubator. Newly hatched chicks are not entirely helpless, but they do require special care to survive and grow into healthy adults. Here are some essential care guidelines for newly hatched chicks:
Provide a Suitable Environment
Firstly, ensure the chicks have a clean, safe, and draft-free environment. Maintain a temperature of 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, reduce the temperature by 5°F each week until they are four weeks old. Observe the chicks' behaviour to adjust the temperature accordingly: if they huddle up, the environment is too cold, and if they move to the edges, it's too hot.
Access to Water
Provide access to fresh, clean water at all times. For every 25 chicks, fill two 1-quart waterers with room-temperature water and place them in the brooder. To encourage drinking, dip the beaks of several chicks into the water. You can also add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar to one gallon of water to boost their energy levels.
Feeding
Chicks do not need to eat for at least 24 hours after hatching as they absorb the remaining yolk sac, which provides nourishment. After this period, provide a complete chick starter feed with at least 18% protein for their early growth. This feed should include amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. To teach them to eat, sprinkle a little starter feed on a paper plate or towel, and once they start pecking freely, remove the feed-covered paper.
Brooder Box
The brooder box is the first home of new chicks and should be set up 48 hours before their arrival. It should be comfortable, warm, and draft-free, with at least 3 to 4 square feet of space per chick.
Health and Safety
Keep the chicks away from predators and ensure their environment is clean and dry. Monitor the chicks closely, especially during the first few critical hours, to ensure they are drinking and eating adequately.
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Storing fertilized eggs
Chicks typically hatch after 21 days of incubation. However, it can sometimes take longer, and there are records of chicks hatching after 28 days of incubation.
If you are collecting your own eggs or buying eggs before incubating them, it is necessary to store them. The ideal temperature range for storing fertilized eggs before incubation is between 53°F and 60°F. If the eggs are stored at a high temperature, they will start to develop, which can cause problems when placed in an incubator. Low humidity can also cause the egg to dry out before incubation, so a range between 75% and 85% humidity is ideal.
Eggs should be stored on their side, on a soft surface that allows as much air as possible to circulate around them. Alternatively, they can be stored with the big end facing upwards, but with minimal contact with surfaces. Do not store eggs with the pointed end facing upwards, as this can damage the internal structure of the egg and cause the air cell to collapse. This air cell is vital for embryo development during incubation and hatching.
Eggs should be turned 45 degrees side to side daily, simulating what would happen in a nest as a hen lays a new egg each day. This is important, as not turning the eggs can cause the yolk to float and touch membranes, preventing the embryo from growing. Handle the eggs as little as possible, as the oil from your hands and skin can clog the egg's porous shell.
The rule of thumb for storing fertilized eggs is seven days. After this point, hatch rates will begin to decline, and the chances of a successful hatch decrease due to vitamins decaying and the membrane breaking down.
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Frequently asked questions
Typically, it takes 21 days for a chick to hatch.
If your chick hasn't hatched after 21 days, it's best to give it a few more days. If there are no signs of hatching after this time, the egg will not hatch.
It can take a chick up to 24 hours to fully hatch after it has pipped, although 5-7 hours is more common.
Before your chick hatches, you should stop egg-turning at day 18, with the larger end of the egg facing up. You should also increase humidity to 70%.
Once your chick has hatched, you can leave it in the incubator for up to 24 hours. After this, you can gently remove it to a brooder box.
