Hatching Eggs in the Classroom:

When Chicks Hatch

The hatching process requires great exertion on the part of the chick. The chick alternates between periods of activity and lengthy periods of rest. The entire hatching process requires nearly 24 hours. Do not be concerned about the time any individual chick requires to hatch, unless the process exceeds 24 hours.

Once chicks successfully leave the shell, they should remain in the incubator for 24 hours.

Leaving chicks in the warmth of the incubator gives them a chance to rest and dry. Increase the ventilation so that the chicks will have enough oxygen. When all the chicks have hatched, lower the temperature to 95o F.

Eggs that remain unhatched by the end of the twenty-second day should be discarded. Do not attempt to help a chick free itself from the shell. Weak or deformed chicks should be disposed of humanely.

Do not worry about providing feed for the chicks right away. Just before hatching, the chick absorbs the yolk of the egg, and the yolk continues to nourish the chick for the first 2 or 3 days of life. The chicks may be moved to a brooder 24 hours after hatching.

Incubation Reminders

Remember these important points for successful egg incubation.

Locate the incubator in a room with a stable temperature, away from drafts.

Incubate only species with the same length of incubation at the same time in the same incubator.

Keep a daily record of incubator data. Check the temperature daily: 99.5o F. Verify that the water trough is full: 86o F wet bulb.

Always wash your hands before touching eggs. Keep germs, dirt, and oil away from incubating eggs.

Turn the eggs three or five times a day for the first 18 days.

The large end of the egg should always be higher than the small end.

Do not turn the eggs for the last 3 days of incubation.

When the chicks hatch, provide a cloth or rough paper surface for them to walk on.

Next Back

Hatching Eggs

When Chicks Hatch

Incubation Reminders

Egg Incubators and Egg Incubator Resources

Indian Ringneck Resources

Electus Parrot Resources

Sun Conure Resources

Finches Resources

A Teacher's Guide

Incubating Eggs

Helpful Resources