Don’t let temperature drop below 99 degrees Fahrenheit.Temperature range: 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit.Optimum temperature: 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.Temperature and humidity inside the incubator are critical factors for successfully hatching eggs.

Then, place the incubator in an area where ambient temperatures are steady, with no risk of draft. Once the incubator is clean and dry, turn it on and check to be sure a constant temperature and humidity level will be maintained. Wash it with a 10 percent bleach solution, followed by warm soapy water and a thorough rinse to ensure you’re starting with a sanitized environment. Prepare the incubator about one week prior to the arrival of fertilized eggs. When determining which incubator to purchase, we recommend using an incubator with some automatic features, such as egg turning (which is critical to chick development and to keep the chick from sticking to the inside surface of the shell) and a fan to facilitate even heat distribution. An incubator is an enclosed structure with a fan and heater to keep eggs warm during the 21-day incubation period. Whether you purchase chicks from a local Purina retailer or are incubating eggs at home, you can start them Flock Strong ® with a Purina ® chick starter feed, such as Purina ® Start & Grow ®, Purina ® Start & Grow ® Medicated or Purina ® Organic Starter-Grower.įertile eggs can be hatched by using an egg incubator. Choosing a chick starter feed depends on your flock goals and if your chicks have been vaccinated for coccidiosis.

A newly hatched chick will need free-choice access to complete feed immediately once they hatch and are placed in the brooder. Once the fertilized eggs are placed in the warm incubator, they may develop over the course of 21 days, with the proper incubator set-up and care.īefore your baby chicks hatch, be sure to stock up on chick starter feed. Prior to incubation, a fertilized egg can be stored for a maximum of 7 days in a cool room kept at a steady 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit ( not in the refrigerator – it’s too cold!). Either way, make sure your fertile eggs are coming from a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)-certified flock to help reduce the risk of disease. Fertilized eggs usually need to be ordered from a hatchery or from poultry farmers with roosters in their flocks. Fertile eggs can be collected from hens who are housed with a rooster.Įggs sold in grocery stores are not fertile therefore, they will not grow into baby chicks if placed in an incubator. For hatching to occur, the eggs must be fertile. The first thing you’ll need to hatch chicks is, of course, eggs. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to hatching eggs at home: Prior to incubating chicken eggs: Secure fertile eggs and chick starter feed With care, vigilance and planning, you will be able to hatch baby chicks that grow up to become part of your backyard flock. Incubating eggs is a fun, 21-day project that can be successful with careful attention and a few special pieces of equipment. To help baby chicks start strong once they’ve hatched, feed a complete Purina ® chick starter feed from hatch until week 18, or when the first egg arrives. Incubating chicken eggs is a 21-day process and requires an egg incubator to help control temperature, humidity and egg turning. Hatching eggs at home can be a fun project for those looking to grow their backyard flocks.

Incubator egg