A Guide to Incubating and Hatching Eggs
Incubating and Hatching Eggs:
Eggs of exotic birds and common chickens require a standard measure of care in storage and incubation to ensure a successful hatch. Environmental conditions, handling, sanitation and record keeping can impact the success of incubating and hatching eggs.
Fertile Egg Quality:
From the smallest canary eggs to the largest ostrich eggs, high quality fertile eggs should always be considered rare and fragile. To successfully hatch eggs, begin with fresh, clean, fertile eggs.
Eggs can be produced "on site" or purchased from many sources. Commercial hatcheries will ensure good fertility, but often will not ship small quantities of eggs.
Eggs easily transmit contagious diseases between flocks. Therefore, to ensure protection from such diseases, purchase eggs from only National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) or equivalent surveyed facilities. Every egg producer should be NPIP tested; further information can be obtained from Texas A&M University NPIP.
If eggs are purchased by mail order, it is important to ensure that the eggs receive proper care in transit. Extremes of temperature and poor handling can destroy prospects for a good hatch.
If fertile eggs are produced “on site” at the business location, the breeding stock must be maintained and supported for maximum health and fertility. Basic egg production is severely affected by day length and lighting control. Egg quality and embryo livability are affected by hen and sire age, health, nutrition, cock/hen ratio, breeder genetics, and other factors that can stress birds such as the weather. Keeping more than four females per male can reduce fertility in some settings.Inbreeding, the mating of closely related males and females, might decrease fertility of eggs and increase embryo mortality. Hatch-ability of eggs is severely harmed by inbreeding, age and poor health.
Most eggs are laid by mid-morning. Eggs should be collected several times a day to reduce the amount of time eggs remain in the nest. This practice decreases the number of cracked and soiled eggs and also prevents premature incubation. Embryos begin to prematurely develop at temperatures above 72 degrees F. Starting and stopping embryo development by repeatedly changing temperatures increases embryo death. Frequent collection and proper storage delays embryo development until egg incubation can begin.
Temperature and humidity during storage
Positioning and turning eggs during storage
Temperature, humidity and ventilation of incubator
Signs of Deficiency in the Embryo