Claire Thompson
Chickens typically take 21 days to hatch, but this can vary depending on the breed, the individual bird, and the environment in which it lives. The process of hatching requires careful planning, precise attention to detail, and a good deal of patience. It is important to create an optimal environment for the eggs, whether under a broody hen or in an incubator, to ensure successful hatching. The final development stage occurs between days 15 and 18, and you may start hearing tiny cheeps from the hatchlings. The most robust chicks will typically hatch within the first 23 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Days required for chicken eggs to hatch | 21 days |
| Time required for hatching to begin | 19-21 days |
| Time required for the first observation of wild chickens | 4 times per hour at the beginning of the incubation |
| Time required for incubators to turn their eggs | 24 times a day, or 1 time an hour |
| Time required for the weakest chicks to hatch | 22-23 days |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken eggs typically hatch within 21 days
The development of a chicken embryo occurs in multiple stages. During the first week, from days 1 to 7, the embryo develops its organs, and by the end of the first week, it has a beating heart and a circulating bloodstream. From days 8 to 14, the chickens grow steadily and begin to look more like chicks. During the final development stage, days 15 to 18, the bones, feathers, limbs, and organs of the chicks undergo their final touches.
On days 19 to 21, hatching usually begins. It is important to resist the temptation to handle the eggs or break them open as the hatchlings slowly break out of their eggs. After a chick has hatched, it should be moved carefully to the brooder, and the heat lamp should be set to 95°F (35°C). The temperature should then be lowered slowly by 5 degrees each week until the hatchlings are entirely feathered.
While most chicken eggs hatch within 21 days, some may take up to 22 or even 23 days. However, it is uncommon for eggs to hatch and produce healthy chicks after day 23. The longer the duration after day 21, the higher the risk of reduced moisture in the shell, which can lead to bacterial infections in the "belly button" area of the chick due to the heat inside the incubator. Additionally, late hatching can result in the chick consuming its yolk, which can impact its health and survival.
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Incubation period: days 8-18
Days 8-18 are a critical period in the incubation of a chicken egg. During this time, the embryo develops into a chick and will take up most of the space in the egg. By day 18, the chick is preparing to hatch.
On day 8, the embryo will start to look more like a chick, and by day 14, it will have grown steadily. Days 15-18 are the final days of growth and development, where the bones, feathers, limbs, and organs are given their final touches.
During this period, it is critical to lock down the incubator to give the chick the best possible environment to complete incubation and hatch successfully. The humidity levels in the incubator should be increased to 65%-75% to prevent the membrane around the chick from drying out. The temperature should be maintained at 37.5ºC or 99.5ºF.
By day 18, the yolk continues to be absorbed and will nourish the chick during its last days of incubation and up to 48 hours after hatching. The heart rate of the chick also starts to slow down from around 230-260 beats per minute to around 210. The chick is now filling most of the egg, and the albumen (egg white) has completely disappeared.
It is important to note that during this period, the eggs should not be turned, especially after day 15. The larger end of the egg should be facing up to allow the chick to position itself for hatching inside the egg.
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Final development stage: days 15-18
Days 15 to 18 constitute the final development stage of a chicken embryo's growth and development. During this period, the embryo's bones, feathers, limbs, and organs receive their final touches.
On day 15, the embryo's gut is drawn into the abdominal cavity. By day 16, feathers cover the embryo's entire body, and the albumen is nearly gone. On day 17, the amniotic fluid decreases, and the embryo's head is between its legs.
On day 18, the growth of the embryo is nearly complete. The yolk sac remains outside of the embryo, and the embryo's head is tucked under its right wing. The embryo occupies most of the space within the egg, except for the air cell.
During the final development stage, it is essential to maintain stable temperature and humidity levels. The optimum temperature for hatching is 99.5°F (37.5°C), and temperatures above 104°F are fatal. Humidity levels should be adjusted based on the weight loss of the eggs and the development of the air cell.
On day 17, any dead eggs should be removed, and the incubator humidity should be raised to about 65-75% for the remainder of the incubation period, known as the "lockdown" stage. During this time, it is crucial to open the incubator as little as possible to maintain the necessary humidity levels.
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Hatching: days 19-21
On days 19-21, the hatching process usually begins. You may start to hear tiny cheeps from the almost-hatched chicks, but it is important to resist the temptation to handle the eggs or break them open. The chick will make sure its beak is close to the air chamber (the pocket that contains the oxygen it needs to breathe during hatching). It will then pierce the membrane of the aforementioned pocket, then it will be time to turn the shell. The chick that pierced the first hole in the egg shell will emerge unaided, and this will take less than 24 hours.
If there are no signs of injury, it is not necessary to help the chick hatch until 24 hours have passed. There are several ways to determine if an egg is ready to hatch. Firstly, the egg in the nest will look clear. Only the air sac in the fat end of the egg will be different. If the eggs do not hatch after 21 days, there is no immediate cause for concern. The process takes longer if, for example, fertilized eggs are cooled before incubation. However, the longer it gets after day 21, the more the reduced moisture in the shell becomes a problem, and the more chance there is of a bacterial infection occurring in the 'belly button' area of the chick due to the heat inside the incubator.
Another problem with late hatching is that the chick will have consumed its yolk. Chicks that hatch after day 23 tend to have a high mortality rate later. It is almost always due to either too high or low humidity or too high or low temperatures. If the weather becomes very hot, cold, humid, or dry, this can cause issues with hatching. If the eggs are being hatched by a broody hen, it is important to house her separately from the rest of the flock so she can sit and hatch undisturbed.
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Potential issues causing delayed hatching
Chicken eggs typically take 21 days to hatch. However, hatching can be delayed due to various factors, including:
Incubation temperature
An incorrect incubation temperature can cause delayed hatching. Fluctuations in temperature can disrupt embryo development, causing some chicks to hatch later than others. A single degree difference can delay hatching by up to 24 hours.
Humidity levels
Inconsistent or incorrect humidity levels in the incubator can also affect hatching time. High humidity can slow down embryo development, while low humidity causes eggs to lose moisture too quickly, leading to delayed hatching.
Egg positioning
The orientation of eggs in the incubator matters. If eggs are not positioned correctly, it can hinder embryo development and result in delayed hatching.
Contamination or disease
Bacterial or viral infections in the incubator or on the eggs can disrupt embryo development and cause late hatches.
Stress or disturbances
External disturbances, such as vibrations, loud noises, or frequently opening the incubator, can cause stress and lead to delayed hatching.
Environmental factors
Environmental conditions like ambient temperature and humidity can influence the incubation process and potentially delay hatching.
Nutritional deficiencies
Inadequate nutrition for the breeder flock can cause delayed hatching.
Inadequate ventilation
Insufficient ventilation during incubation can impact hatching times.
Rough handling of eggs
Rough handling of eggs can cause embryonic injury and impact hatching.
Age of eggs
Eggs stored too long before incubation may experience delayed hatching.
Size of eggs
Larger or smaller than average eggs may take longer to hatch.
Breed variations
Some chicken breeds have natural variations in their incubation periods, resulting in delayed hatching.
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Frequently asked questions
Typically, chicken eggs hatch at 21 days, but it can take up to 23 days.
The time it takes for a chicken egg to hatch can be influenced by the breed, the individual bird, and the environment in which it lives.
Chicken eggs can be hatched under a broody hen or in an incubator, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
From days 8 to 14, chickens grow steadily and look more like chicks. Days 15 to 18 are the final days of growth and development, where the bones, feathers, limbs, and organs are given their final touches.
It is fairly unusual for healthy chicks to hatch after day 23. However, you can leave the eggs alone for another day as there may be a slight delay.
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