Hatching your own Eggs

Hatching your own eggs can be a very inexpensive way to start your way to self sufficiency. You can purchase an incubator, but that can cost upwards of $200 CAD. There are many DIY ways to build your own low cost incubator, like the two I built for about $25 CAD with mostly items from around the house.

When hatching chickens, they require a specific temperature and humidity they typically take around 21 days. Some other poultry will take up to 30 days. During that time you want the eggs to be laying on their side. Hatching eggs also need to be turned 180 degrees every 6-8 hours. Many experts encourage 4-5 turns a day as beneficial for the chicks development.

Temperature and Humidity

Hatching your own chicken eggs do require a specific temperature and humidity to have a successful hatch. An incubators temperature should not be above 37.5 degrees celcius. Above this results in an increase of deformed or crippled chicks, as well as a reduced hatch rate. When hatching your own eggs the incubator temperature should stay within 35/95 degrees, to 37.5/99.5 degrees. At 40.5/104.9 degrees or higher the embryo will likely not survive. During the first couple weeks, (days 1-18) humidity levels should be around 55%, and for the last few increased to 60-70%. This increase in humidity is essential to moisten or lubricate the chicks as they peck and wiggle out of their shells.

When hatching your own eggs, you want to select large, clean, undamaged eggs that are no older than 10 days. After ten days the hatching rate declines gradually. After a week of incubation and rotation, the embryo starts developing. You can see this process by candling the eggs. By placing a light or candle on behind the egg, you can see little veins developing within the egg. If after 9-10 days no development is noticed, they will not hatch and should be discarded and replaced with fresh ones.

Turning your Eggs

Turning of the eggs is essential in the growth of the embryo, and is to be done 5-6 times a day for the first 18 days. The last 3 days before hatching is referred to as a lock down period. Rotation is stopped to allow the chick to position itself for hatching. This is also the time where humidity is increased to 60-70% to lubricate the chicks as they free themselves.

Hatching your Eggs

Once hatching starts , allow the chicks to free themselves from the egg, and do not remove the chicks from the incubator until they are fully dried and puffier. Hatched chicks can live for 2 to 3 days without eating or drinking as the yolk they consumed during the incubation period will sustain them. Do not remove the chicks until their feathers are dry and fluffy. Once they are fluffy your chicks are ready for the brooding box. Ensure you have an infared lamp with hood ,waterer and feeder available prior to transferring them. This is a crucial time, ensure the chicks stay warm and are contained to the space under the lamp.