How many days do chicken eggs take to hatch?

Most chicken eggs hatch about 21 days after they are set in an incubator or under a broody hen. A hatch can be a little early or late depending on temperature stability, egg age, breed, and handling.

When is lockdown for chicken eggs?

Lockdown is usually day 18 for chicken eggs. Stop turning the eggs, keep the incubator closed as much as possible, and raise humidity for the final hatch period.

When should I candle chicken eggs?

Common candling checkpoints are around day 7 and day 14. Day 7 often shows early development, while day 14 helps confirm continued growth before lockdown.

Chicken Egg Incubation Calculator

Calculate your chicken egg hatch date

Enter the day you set chicken eggs to get the expected hatch day, lockdown date, candling reminders, and a practical chick estimate for your incubator or broody hen.

Expected hatch date — 21-day chicken incubation timeline

Eggs set date Incubation length

Number of eggs set Expected hatch rate

Incubation style Display dates as

How to use this chicken egg incubation calculator

Choose the date the eggs were set in the incubator or placed under a broody hen. The calculator adds the incubation length to estimate hatch day, then works backward to show lockdown and forward from the set date to show candling checkpoints.

For most chicken eggs, use the 21-day setting. Bantams can hatch a little earlier and large breeds may run a little later, so the custom option is helpful if your line has a known pattern.

Quick chicken egg incubation examples

Eggs set April 1: expected hatch is around April 22, with lockdown around April 19.
12 local fertile eggs at a 75% hatch rate: plan for about 9 chicks.
Shipped eggs: a lower hatch-rate setting can make brooder and feed planning more realistic.

Chicken incubation reminders

Keep temperature and humidity steady according to your incubator instructions. Many forced-air incubators are commonly run near 99.5°F, while still-air units are often managed differently. During lockdown, stop turning eggs and avoid opening the incubator unless necessary.

FAQ

Do chicken eggs always hatch exactly on day 21?

No. Day 21 is the common target, but some chicks pip or hatch a day early or late. Temperature, egg age, breed, humidity, and handling can all affect timing.

What does lockdown mean for chicken eggs?

Lockdown is the final hatch period, usually starting on day 18 for chicken eggs. Turning stops, humidity is raised, and the incubator should stay closed as much as possible while chicks pip and zip.

How many chicks should I expect from a dozen eggs?

With a 75% hatch-rate estimate, a dozen eggs would suggest about 9 chicks. Actual results vary widely based on fertility, storage, shipping stress, parent stock health, and incubator conditions.