“Welcome to the sacred temple of poultry knowledge — where yolks aren’t just golden, they’re golden opportunities. Whether you're a backyard chicken whisperer or the proud parent of three hens and a dream, this blog is for you. We’re cracking open the science, Let’s be honest — few things are more satisfying than hearing that first pip and knowing your hard work paid off. But if you’re stuck in the “why won’t these dang eggs hatch” phase, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Let’s get into the good stuff — the top 10 best practices for incubating eggs, followed by 5 reasons your hatch rate might be lower than your patience on day 21.

🐣 The 10 Best Practices for Incubating Eggs

1. Start With Strong Genetics: Select the Right Breeding Stock

 The magic starts before the egg is even laid. Healthy, well-fed, mature birds produce viable eggs. Weak or too-young breeding stock can result in low fertility or weak embryos. Want strong chicks? Breed strong birds. Look for: Bright eyes and good feather condition, Consistent egg layers and Active, alert, disease-free chickens. Pro tip: Avoid birds that needed help hatching. If they couldn’t do it on their own, their offspring might struggle too.

 2. Feed Your Breeding Stock Right

 Feed ‘em like they’re building the future — because they are. Breeders need higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and protein (18–20%) than your average laying hen. Key nutrients: Vitamin E & Selenium (for embryo development), Calcium (but not too much — you want hatchable eggs, not concrete), Omega-3s (for healthier chicks), Skip the junk food. Scratch grains alone won’t cut it — that’s chicken candy.

3. Collect and Store Eggs Properly

You wouldn’t leave a carton of milk in the sun, right? Same goes for hatching eggs. Handle them like little Fabergé fortunes. Storage tips: Store at 55–65°F with 50–60% humidity, Turn them daily to keep the yolk centered and Store with pointy end down no more than 7–10 days for best results. Never wash hatching eggs with water — you’ll destroy the protective bloom and let bacteria sneak in like they’re at an all-you-can-eat embryo buffet. If they must be cleaned use hydrogen peroxide.

 4. Set Up a Reliable Incubator

Your incubator is basically a baby chick spa. If the spa malfunctions — no chicks. Invest in a good incubator with automatic turning and digital controls.Make sure: The temp stays at 99.5°F for forced-air, 101.5°F for still-air and Humidity is consistent (we’ll get to that). Hatching eggs need a stable environment — not the drafty shed.

 5. Get Your Temperature Game Tight

 Temperature isn’t just important — it’s everything. A consistent 99.5°F is the sweet spot. Too high? Early hatches and weak chicks. Too low? Delayed hatches and “did anything even grow in here?” moments.Use two thermometers. Trust, but verify.

 6. Humidity: The Unsung Hero

Humidity makes or breaks your hatch. Too high early on? You’ll drown your embryos. Too low late in the game? Shrink-wrapped chicks that can’t pip. General rule of thumb:Days 1–18: 40–50% and Lockdown (Day 19–21): Bump it to 65–70%.. Bonus tip: Weigh your eggs! They should lose about 13% of their weight by hatch day.

7. Cleanliness Is Next to Chick-Liness

 Dirty eggs and bacteria-filled incubators are party invitations for embryo-killing microbes. Sanitize your incubator before every batch. Use a non-toxic disinfectant, and keep surfaces clean throughout. 

 8. Don’t Candle Too Much — Or Too Late

 Yes, it’s exciting to candle eggs and see those squiggly veins or shadowy chick forms. But moderation is key. Every time you open that incubator, you risk messing with temp and humidity. Candle: at Day 7 (for fertility), Day 14 (for development) and  Day 18 Candle, lock it down, increase humidity and then keep your hands off and incubator closed till hatch is complete. 

9. Lockdown Means Lockdown

 From Day 18 on, it’s hands off — no opening, no candling, no “just peeking.” Let the humidity climb and the chicks do their thing. Pipping can take 24 hours. Hatching can take another 24. Be patient. Don’t help unless absolutely necessary (and we mean life-or-death necessary). 

10. Have a Brooding Plan

The eggs hatched — woohoo! But now what? You need to be ready with a warm, clean brooder (95°F and dropping 5° each week), chick starter feed, clean water, and a draft-free setup. Happy chicks = strong starts = future egg machines.

 🥚 5 Reasons for a Low Hatch Rate (AKA “Why Did Only Two Hatch?!”)

 Even when you follow the rules, sometimes your hatch rate flops harder than a chicken trying to swim. Here are the top reasons:

 1. Bad Breeding Stock

Weak genetics = weak embryos. If you’re using birds with poor nutrition, inconsistent laying, or past hatch issues, it might be time to upgrade your flock.

2. Poor Egg Storage

Too warm, too cold, too long — storage issues kill fertility. If the eggs weren’t stored properly, even the fanciest incubator can’t save them.

 3. Temperature Fluctuations

One night the power flickers, the next day it’s 101. That’s a fast track to scrambled embryos. Even short periods of temp drops (or spikes) can cause developmental delays or death.

4. Humidity Issues

Too much early? Big, soggy embryos that can’t pip. Too little late? They dry out and get shrink-wrapped in the shell like jerky. Track it. Adjust it. Respect it.

5. Bacterial Contamination

 Unwashed hands, dirty incubators, or gross eggs = embryo-killing bacteria. Sanitization matters more than most people think. You don’t need a surgical suite — but close.

🐥 Final Thoughts: Hatching Is Half Science, Half Patience, and 100% Worth It

     Raising chickens from the very beginning — the actual beginning — is one of the most rewarding things you can do on your homestead (or in your suburban backyard).Yes, it takes planning. Yes, you’ll obsessively watch the incubator like a Netflix series. Yes, you’ll freak out when you hear that first chirp. That’s all part of the magic. Remember: Every fluffy chick is a miracle… but miracles like a little help in the form of good practices, clean conditions, and lots of love. So go forth, chicken keeper, set your eggs, start your incubator and hatch those dreams.