Incubation & Hatching

Everything you need to hatch your own chicks at home. From incubators and automatic egg turners to egg candlers, brooder lamps, and heat bulbs — Bloomington Farm & Feed carries trusted equipment for successful hatching. Whether you're a first-time hatcher or a seasoned pro, we have the tools to help your eggs go from incubator to brooder. Available for Twin Cities local delivery.

Incubation & Hatching FAQs

How long does it take to hatch chicken eggs?
Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch under proper incubation conditions. Duck eggs take 28 days, quail eggs 17–18 days, and turkey eggs 28 days. Consistent temperature and humidity throughout incubation are critical — fluctuations are the most common cause of poor hatch rates.

What temperature and humidity do I need for incubating eggs?
For chicken eggs, maintain 99.5°F (forced air incubator) or 101°F (still air) throughout incubation. Humidity should be 50–55% for the first 18 days, then raised to 65–70% for the final 3 days (lockdown). Use a reliable thermometer and hygrometer — don't rely solely on the incubator's built-in display.

Do I need an automatic egg turner?
An automatic egg turner is strongly recommended. Eggs need to be turned at least 3 times per day for the first 18 days to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane. Turning by hand is possible but easy to forget — an automatic turner removes the risk and improves hatch rates significantly.

What is egg candling and when should I do it?
Candling is shining a bright light through the egg to check embryo development. Candle at day 7 to identify infertile or early-quitter eggs, and again at day 14 to check progress. Remove any clear (infertile) or rotten eggs promptly — a bad egg can explode and contaminate the rest of the clutch.

When do I stop turning eggs and go into lockdown?
Stop turning eggs at day 18 (for chicken eggs) and increase humidity to 65–70%. This is called lockdown — don't open the incubator again until hatching is complete. Chicks need stable humidity to hatch successfully, and opening the incubator during this period causes humidity to drop and can shrink-wrap chicks inside the shell.

Read more from our Flock Blog:
→ Brooder Setup for Day-Old Chicks: Everything You Need for a Strong Start
→ What to Feed Chickens at Every Life Stage
→ When Can Chicks Move Outside? A Minnesota Keeper's Transition Guide