Coop & flock
When will my eggs hatch?
Set date to candling, lockdown and hatch: 21 days for chicken, 28 for duck and turkey, 35 for Muscovy, 18 for quail, 30 for goose.
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How this works
Hold 99.5 °F in a forced-air incubator, 45–55% humidity, then 65–75% from lockdown. Lockdown means stop turning, three days before hatch. Days by species: chicken 21, duck 28, Muscovy 35, coturnix quail 18, turkey 28, goose 30.
Questions people ask
When is lockdown for chicken eggs?
Day 18 of 21. Stop turning, raise humidity, and do not open the incubator again - a humidity drop at pipping is what shrink-wraps a chick.
When should I candle?
Day 7 to see veining and clear the infertiles, and day 14 to confirm growth. Candling later wastes heat for little information.
Why did my eggs not hatch?
Most often incubation humidity or a fertility problem rather than temperature. Weigh eggs across incubation; they should lose 11 to 13 percent by lockdown.