Chicken eggs typically take about 21 days to hatch. This incubation period can range slightly, with some chicks hatching a day or two earlier or later, but 21 days is the standard timeframe
. Key points about the hatching process include:
- The eggs need to be kept at a steady temperature around 99-102°F (37.2-38.9°C) during incubation
- Eggs should be turned several times a day (usually 3-5 times) for the first 18 days to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. Turning is then stopped for the last 3 days to allow the chick to position itself for hatching
- Humidity is increased to about 65-70% during the last few days (days 18-21) to help the chick hatch successfully
- The hatching process itself can take from 5 to 24 hours once the chick begins to break the shell
- Variations in incubation time can occur due to factors like the age of the flock, egg storage duration, and initial egg temperature
In summary, expect about 21 days from setting fertile chicken eggs to the emergence of chicks, with careful management of temperature, humidity, and turning during incubation
