From Egg to Hatching: The Journey of a Chick

The process of a chick hatching from an egg is both fascinating and demanding. Whether you are using an incubator or a mother hen, attention to detail and careful monitoring are crucial to ensure the healthy hatching of baby chicks. This guide will walk you through the critical stages of egg incubation and chick hatching.

Incubation Process

When a mother hen is not around to incubate the eggs, they need to be placed in an incubator. The incubator should be set to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for setting the perfect temperature and humidity levels, typically around 100°F (38°C) and 55% humidity, respectively.

For the first 20 to 21 days, the eggs need to be turned at least twice a day. Turning the eggs helps ensure that the embryo develops evenly. You can turn the eggs by a quarter of a rotation, and it is convenient to do this right after you wake up and just before you go to bed, as the incubator is placed near your nightstand.

Cracking the Shell

On the 21st or 22nd day, you will begin to hear the chick pecking inside the egg. The chick will use its egg tooth to crack the shell and the process can take a few hours. It will then continue to peck at the opening until it is fully out of the egg. During this time, the chick may tire and rest; this is natural and necessary.

Once the chick is hatched, it will be very wet and tired. It is important to keep the chick in the incubator until it has fully dried. Do not attempt to help the chick emerge, as it will learn to do this naturally.

Premature Hatching and Brooding

An incubator can take between 21 and 23 days, but the exact time can vary. If the chick hatches and the mother hen is still sitting on the eggs, it means that not all the eggs have hatched, and it is likely that some of the eggs have been moved by other hens. The hen will jump off once she has finished incubating and will roll the undamaged eggs out of the nest. If an egg is not damaged, it will continue to develop in the incubator.

Monitoring the Incubation Process

If you are using an incubator, you can perform a candling process every 5 days. Candling involves shining a bright flashlight through the egg to observe the internal development. If the egg is black, cloudy, or has "sweat bubbles" or an unpleasant smell, it has gone bad and should be discarded.

If you see red veins and a beating heart inside the egg, it is a good sign that development is progressing well. You can find detailed diagrams and stages of development on Pinterest and Google, which can help you monitor your chick's progress.

Post-Hatching Care

After hatching, the chick needs to be placed in a box with a heating pad to keep it warm. A newly hatched chick should be kept at a temperature of 90°F (32°C) and be in a draft-free environment. Provide plenty of fresh water and chick starter mash to ensure the chick gets the nutrition it needs to thrive.

Careful attention to these steps throughout the incubation and hatching process can greatly increase the chances of healthy chicks being born. Whether you are using a hen or an incubator, ensuring the correct conditions is key to success.