Hatching Eggs in the Classroom:

Incubating Eggs

Before Incubation

Prepare and adjust the incubator for 2 or 3 days before setting the eggs. During this time, you can adjust the temperature and humidity without affecting the eggs.

Adjustments made while the eggs are set will either lengthen or shorten the time of hatch or kill the embryos. If the incubator has an automatic turner, make sure it is functioning properly.

Select a location for the incubator that is protected from drafts and direct sunlight. Seek environmental stability for the 3-week duration of the project. Do not set the eggs until the temperature and humidity are correct and stable.

The Day the Eggs Are Set

If the eggs have been stored in a refrigerator, allow them to warm to room temperature for 2 to 4 hours before setting them in the incubator. Set the eggs on Tuesday or Wednesday if possible. Immediately before placing the eggs in the incubator, use a pencil to lightly mark an “X” on one side and an “O” on the opposite side of each egg. These marks help verify that the eggs are being turned in the incubator. If the incubator has an automatic turner that is working properly, marking the eggs is not necessary.

The temperature of an incubator without a circulating fan fluctuates more than that of an incubator with a fan.

As long as the temperature does not exceed 102o F, the hatch should not be harmed.

Once the eggs are in the incubator, do not adjust the temperature or humidity for a few hours unless the temperature exceeds 102o F. After 4 hours, you may make the proper adjustments. The final temperature should vary only 0.5o above or below 99.5o F. The temperature of an incubator without a circulating fan fluctuates more than that of an incubator with a fan. As long as the temperature does not exceed 102o F, the hatch should not be harmed.

The large end of the egg should be higher than the small end of the egg when it is set in the incubator. An embryo orients during incubation so that the head develops toward the large end of the egg, where the air cell is located. If the small end of the egg is higher than the large end, the chick’s head can orient away from the air cell. An embryo oriented in the wrong direction will not hatch.

Next Back

Hatching Eggs

Incubating Eggs

Before Incubation

The Day the Eggs Are Set

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