When hatching chicks , it's crucial to manage temperature and humidity carefully. Chick incubation typically takes about 21 days, and there are three main methods:
How long does it take for chicks to hatch?
Chicks typically take about 21 days to hatch. However, the hatching time can be affected by temperature, resulting in earlier or later hatching. Artificial incubation is an option because it's more suitable for large-scale farming, and conditions such as temperature and humidity can be controlled, leading to a higher hatching success rate.
Chicks typically begin pecking at their shells at 19 days, start hatching at 20 days, hatch in large numbers at 20.5 days, and are all hatched by 21 days. Whether incubated artificially or by a hen, the time from incubation to hatching is usually 21 days, but this can vary depending on external temperature. Choosing appropriate incubation techniques and artificially controlling the incubation environment can improve the hatching rate of eggs .
How do chicks hatch?
1. Hen incubation
If you don't have the tools to incubate chicks, you can select a hen with high estrogen levels from the henhouse, place her and the fertilized eggs in a quiet place, and once the hen starts incubating the eggs, you can use a cage to cover her and prevent other animals from approaching.
2. Cardboard box incubation
You can also use a cardboard box for incubation. First, prepare a small cardboard box and line it with a temperature-controlled electric blanket. Then, cover the electric blanket with a thick layer of cotton , place the fertilized eggs inside, and turn them over regularly. The eggs should hatch in about two weeks.
3. Electric lighting, heating, and incubation
Alternatively, you can use an electric light to heat the eggs and hatch them. First, prepare a cardboard box and line the bottom with clothes, cotton, or straw for insulation. Then, fix an incandescent light bulb on top of the box, seal it, turn on the light, and wait about two weeks for the eggs to hatch.
