Egg Incubation Calculator
Pick your bird, enter the day you set the eggs, and get your exact hatch date, candling days, and lockdown day — plus the right temperature and humidity for every stage.
Incubation gear that makes hatching easier
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Incubation periods, temperature & humidity by species
| Species | Days | Temp (forced air) | Humidity days 1–lockdown | Humidity at lockdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 21 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 50–55% | 65–70% |
| Coturnix quail | 18 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 45–50% | 65–70% |
| Duck (common) | 28 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 70–75% |
| Muscovy duck | 35 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 70–75% |
| Turkey | 28 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 70–75% |
| Goose | 30 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 75% |
| Guinea fowl | 27 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 70% |
| Pigeon | 18 | 37.5 °C / 99.5 °F | 55–60% | 65–70% |
For still-air incubators, run about 1 °C higher (38.5 °C / 101.3 °F measured at the top of the eggs).
How to use this calculator
- Day 0 is the set date — the day eggs go into a running, pre-warmed incubator. Warm the incubator for 24 hours before setting.
- Turn eggs at least 3–5 times a day (odd number) until lockdown, or use an automatic turner.
- Candle on the listed days. First candling shows veins (fertile) or a clear egg (remove it). Second confirms growth. Remove any egg with a blood ring or bad smell.
- Lockdown: stop turning, raise humidity, and do not open the incubator until hatching finishes. Opening it dries the membranes and chicks get stuck ("shrink-wrapped").
- Hatch can run up to a day early or late — that's normal. Don't help a chick out before 24h after pipping.
FAQ
Why didn't my eggs hatch on day 21?
The most common causes are temperature slightly too low (delays hatch), too high (early or dead-in-shell), old eggs (set within 7 days of laying), and poor turning. Verify your incubator with a separate calibrated thermometer.
Can I set eggs of different species together?
You can, but their lockdown days differ — stagger the set dates so all eggs reach lockdown at the same time. Use this calculator once per species and align the lockdown dates.
Do I need to wash hatching eggs?
No — washing removes the bloom that blocks bacteria. Only set clean, uncracked eggs, and store them pointy-end down at 13–18 °C for a maximum of 7 days before setting.
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